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Allan Donald, the former South Africa fast bowler, will join New Zealand as a bowling coach for the ODI series against Pakistan and World Cup that follows.Donald was formerly coach of Zimbabwe’s domestic team Mountaineers and was released from his contract, enabling him to take up the job with the New Zealand team under John Wright. Donald had also briefly served as England’s bowling coach in 2007.”I’m extremely grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and the Mountaineers for agreeing to release me and I’m equally excited about the possibility of joining New Zealand Cricket on a more permanent basis,” Donald told on Monday. “Even though I was only in Zimbabwe for three months I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and learned a lot about being head coach.”Zimbabwe Cricket is undoubtedly heading in the right direction and I was looking forward to being a part of their return to Test cricket. But the opportunity to return to international cricket was irresistible and to work with somebody of the stature of John Wright is something which doesn’t come along every day and I can’t wait to get started.”New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan was pleased to secure Donald’s appointment, having tried first in 2008 to get him involved. “Allan’s appointment is an exciting one. His extensive coaching and playing experience should make a really positive impact,” he said.”We talked to Allan back in 2008 when an assistant coaching role was available and although he seriously considered coming on board he decided to stay on with Warwickshire. It is great he is now willing to commit and I know he is really looking forward to the challenge of returning to international cricket.”New Zealand are trailing 0-1 in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan and will play six ODIs in the lead-up to the World Cup next month. Donald joins the squad in Wellington on Thursday, ahead of the opening ODI of the series.

From hanging around the gates of the SCG to catch a glimpse of his heroes as a young boy, Usman Khawaja is now at the cusp of making his Test debut in Sydney on Monday

Peter English30-Dec-2010

As a boy Usman Khawaja waited for the SCG gates to open so he could watch his heroes for free. On Monday he will have another priceless experience there when he plays his first Test as the injured Ricky Ponting’s replacement at No 3.Khawaja, who will become the first Muslim to receive a baggy green, moved to Australia from Pakistan when he was three and as he grew up, his family couldn’t afford match tickets. So he would hang around at the entrance until the gatemen let him in for a peek at Steve Waugh and Co.When he enters the ground over the next week he will be treated like royalty by the home fans and as a target by England. “It’s been a childhood dream for me,” he said at the SCG. “Ever since I can remember I wanted to play for Australia.”Khawaja, 24, is a graceful, wristy left-hander who has impressed team-mates with his calm maturity. He is already a qualified pilot and is now in charge of navigating Australia from first-drop in an Ashes Test. Not since Justin Langer in 1992-93 has a debutant stepped out at No.3.”Ricky is a legend of a cricketer, a legend of a bloke,” Khawaja said. “I’ve only met him a few times, but he’s made me feel like I’ve been part of the team when I really haven’t.”He’s the kind of guy that if he told me to jump off a bridge I probably would, I’d follow him anywhere. I’m not here to fill Ricky Ponting’s shoes, I’m going to go out there and try and do the best I can. To replace 12,000 runs is a big feat and I still haven’t scored any.”Khawaja was on standby for Ponting in Melbourne and was also called late into the squad for the opening game in Brisbane when Michael Clarke had a bad back. He started the season well for New South Wales, scoring a double-century, and leads the Sheffield Shield run list with 598 at 74.75.Despite his attractive overall record – he averages 51.70 in 27 first-class games – he hasn’t posted a first-class hundred since his 214, although he has produced some useful half-centuries. The past four Tests have shown that Australia need big scores from their top six to survive against England and it is a tough ask for a debutant to provide such leadership in an ailing outfit. Whatever Khawaja does, it will be another memorable visit to the SCG.

There are likely to be a number of clubs who eye up a move for Wolves centre-back Max Kilman this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Kilman a key figure at Wolves

The 24-year-old is enjoying an exceptional season for Wanderers, standing out as one of the first names on Bruno Lage’s team sheet at Molineux.

Kilman has shone on the right-hand side of a back-three, making 27 Premier League appearances , playing 90 minutes in all but one game and finding himself tipped to be named in Gareth Southgate’s next England squad.

The defender’s form could alert some of the country’s leading sides, however, so perhaps after all the attention on Ruben Neves’ future – reports believe talks are underway with Barcelona and the midfielder is ‘likely’ to depart – the Portuguese superstar may not be the only high-profile exit from Molineux this summer.

The Latest: Journalist talks up exit

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that Kilman won’t be without suitors, as Wolves desperately look to stave off any interest in their emerging star:

“Everything’s going well for Max Kilman at the minute, but Wolves will be desperate to keep hold of him.

“But I’m sure there will be a few clubs looking in the summer, ready to test their resolve.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“388797″]

The Verdict: Got to stay

While Kilman is sure to be in the headlines this summer, as the rumour mills back him to move away, it would be a surprise if he left at this point in his career.

His current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026 and he is still very much maturing as a player, with 24 no age for a top centre-back in the slightest.

Granted, it may be that Kilman feels he needs to take a step up in his career in the future, but for now, Wolves is the best place for him to continue developing and playing week in, week out, having averaged two aerial duel wins and 3.4 clearances per game in the league this season.

In other news, the exit of another Wolves player has also been talked up. Find out who it is here.

Glasgow Rangers have been hit with a European concern ahead of the 2022/23 campaign…    

What’s the talk?

The Glasgow Times have dropped an update explaining what Villarreal’s progress in the Champions League could mean for teams in Scotland.

If the Spanish outfit go on to win the European title this season then it is would mean that Gers would need to go through the qualification stages in 2022/23 – if they were to win the Premiership title.

As it stands, the winners of the Scottish top-flight will immediately qualify for the group stages of the Champions League next season. This would result in a major £40m bonus for competing in the competition, but that is now under threat.

Their automatic qualification will be taken away if a team wins the tournament this year whilst failing to finish in the top four of their domestic league. Villarreal are on their way to doing this as they are in the semi-finals whilst currently sitting seventh in LaLiga.

Gio van Bronckhorst will be sweating…

This update will leave the Gers head coach sweating buckets as it gives him another Champions League concern to worry about.

Firstly, he is nearing the end of an exciting – for the neutrals – Premiership title battle as the Light Blues are attempting to catch up with Celtic in the table. They are six points behind their rivals as it stands and will not be giving up on their attempts to lift the trophy for the second season in a row.

Whilst it may seem unlikely due to the current gap between the two teams, all Rangers can do is continue to win games in the league and hope that the Hoops drop points along the way. If they can claw it back and secure a stunning title win then that would put them in a fantastic position to qualify for the Champions League, but that is now in danger.

Van Bronckhorst will now have to keep a close eye on results in the competition and root for Liverpool in the semi-finals against Villarreal. He will be desperate, as will Ange Postecoglou, for the Spanish side to fail in their efforts to win the tournament as it would dampen Rangers’ chances of hitting the £40m jackpot later this year.

Although they will still have the opportunity to access that cash fund if they make their way through the qualification phase, the Dutch head coach would surely prefer to go straight into the group stage instead of enduring the stress of play-off football.

AND in other news, From £4.5m to £25m: Wilson had huge Rangers howler over “remarkable” 12-goal gem…

Newly-appointed West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Bruce may face a battle to keep talismanic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

What’s the latest?

Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are set to revive their interest in former the Manchester United goalkeeper per The Daily Mail.

The north London outfit were reportedly interested in securing his services in the January transfer window, but a move for the 29-year-old never came to fruition.

According to the latest reports, Spurs will go back in for Johnstone in a bid to sign him on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.

Tottenham have been looking to provide quality competition for first-choice ‘keeper Hugo Lloris and although they have possessed quality within their ranks with the loan-signing of Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta, they will reportedly shun a deal to make the Italian’s move permanent after he has failed to impress in his ten appearances thus far.

With Johnstone looking to win back his place in the England set-up and Spurs looking to increase the quality within their goalkeeping ranks, a move makes sense for both parties.

The Baggies will be terrified

Despite West Brom’s disappointing 12th position in the Championship table, Sam Johnstone has been far from disappointing.

The 29-year-old Englishman who has been described as “unbelievable” by Gary Lineker has been just that this season.

Johnstone finds himself third in the Championship’s clean sheet rankings with an incredible 14 clean sheets.

The £7.2m-rated goalkeeper is clearly too good for England’s second tier, after proving his competency as a shot-stopper just the campaign prior in the Premier League.

His performance metrics in England’s top flight last year will concern Hugo Lloris, as Johnstone achieved a greater save percentage at 70% than the Frenchman who achieved 68%.

The Englishman put in some world-class displays in the Premier League last term and more than proved his quality, with a call-up to the Three Lions squad a consequence of that.

He’s maintained a solid save percentage this season also, with 65%, though we know he can improve on that metric.

For selfish reasons, West Brom should do everything they can to keep Sam Johnstone in order to fulfil their ambition of sealing a return to the Premier League. Based on his displays, losing him would be somewhat of a disaster.

In other news – Imagine him and Grant: £7.2m-rated “sensation” could finally be unleashed – opinion

خاض لاعبو الزمالك مرانهم عصر اليوم الإثنين على ملعب عبد اللطيف أبو رجيلة بمقر القلعة البيضاء بميت عقبة.

ويتحضر الزمالك في الوقت الحالي لملاقاة المصري البورسعيدي، في إطار منافسات دور الـ8 لبطولة كأس مصر في المباراة التي ستقام يوم 26 نوفمبر الحالي.

طالع أيضًا | مرتضى منصور: أنتظر مقابلة رئيس الوزراء لحل أزمة الزمالك.. وسنفقد السيطرة على العمال

ولم يشارك محمد عبد الغني مدافع الزمالك في المران الجماعي للفريق اليوم، بقرار من الجهاز الطبي للزمالك، نظرًا لإصابته بشد عضلي منذ مباراة الزمالك الأخيرة امام إنبي في الجولة الرابعة لمسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويخضع عبد الغني لبرنامج تأهيلي خاص لتجهيزه من أجل العودة للمشاركة في التدريبات الجماعية.

وشهد المران غياب اللاعبين الدوليين بعد انضمامهم لمعسكر منتخب مصر الذي بدأ اليوم استعدادًا لمواجهة بلجيكا وديًا يوم 18 نوفمبر.

وكان البرتغالي روي فيتوريا قد ضم محمد عواد وعبد الله جمعة وحسام عبد المجيد وعمر جابر وإمام عاشور وأحمد مصطفى زيزو لمعسكر الفراعنة.

وفي سياق متصل، واصل نبيل عماد دونجا لاعب خط وسط نادي الزمالك الانتظام في أداء برنامجه التأهيلي الخاص به بعد إجراء عملية منظار الركبة.

وبدأ دونجا التدريبات بالركض حول الملعب في الربع ساعة الأولى، ثم أعقبها بتمرينات بالكرة.

من جانبه، منح البرتغالي جوسفالدوا فيريرا المدير الفني للزمالك مصطفى شلبي جناح الفريق الهجومي تعليمات خاصة خلال مران اليوم.

وحرص فيريرا في تعليماته لـ مصطفى شلبي على توضيح أهمية التحرك الصحيح نحو مرمى المنافس، والركض السريع بالكرة دون أن يفقدها.

وفي الإطار ذاته، أدى محمد طارق مدافع الفريق تدريبات فردية لزيادة معدلات لياقته البدنية، وذلك تحت إشراف أندريه فيليب مدرب الأحمال بتعليمات من فيريرا، الذي يرغب في إعداد اللاعب للفترة المقبلة.

وشارك محمد طارق أيضًا في تدريبات الجزء البدني مع باقي زملائه، ثم تمرن بالكرة.

وخضع محمود عبد الرازق “شيكابالا” صانع ألعاب الزمالك لجلسات علاجية تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي للفريق بقيادة الدكتور محمد أسامة، إثر تعرضه لإصابة في الكتف أثناء مشاركته في المباراة السابقة.

وحصل شيكابالا على راحة من المشاركة في المران الجماعي، لكنه يؤدي تدريبات علاجية بشكل مستمر حتى تتلاشى الآلام المصاحبة للكدمة في الكتف.

كشف طارق يحيى لاعب الزمالك الأسبق، عن سبب غضب محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا قائد كتيبة الفريق الأبيض، خلال مباراة كأس السوبر أمام الأهلي.

وظهر شيكابالا غاضبًا بعد تسجيل الأهلي للهدف الثاني في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين على ملعب هزاع بن زايد، وكان يوجه حديثه لـ شخص ما لم تُظهره الكاميرات.

وقال يحيى في تصريحات عبر قناة “الزمالك”: “سبب ثورة شيكابالا ليس جمهور الأهلي، ولكنه لاعب في الفريق الأحمر كان خارج قائمة المباراة ويجلس في المدرجات، وهو من أساء لـ قائد الزمالك”.

طالع أيضًا | أحمد غانم سلطان: ثنائي الأهلي استفز شيكابالا في السوبر.. واندهشت من تغييرات فيريرا

وتابع: “عندما يتم سب اللاعب من الجمهور لا توجد مشكلة، لكن أن يتم سبه من لاعب زميل فهذا أمر سيء للغاية؛ ولذلك سامي قمصان وسيد عبد الحفيظ اعتذرا لـ شيكابالا على إساءة اللاعب، وقبلا رأسه”.

وأضاف: “شيكابالا انفعل وغضب عندما وجد لاعب زميل هو من يوجه له السباب، أنا أعرف من هو اللاعب ولكن لن أذكر اسمه”.

واختتم: “كنت أتمنى أن تحيي الجماهير شيكابالا بعد موقفه الرائع مع مؤمن زكريا، نحن لسنا خاسرين سيئين، ولكن غيرنا خاسر سيء”.

Taking to Twitter, Sportitalia TV reporter Rudy Galetti has shared some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news involving attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Lingard…

As reported by multiple reliable sources, Tottenham have joined the race to sign Manchester United’s man with his contract set to expire in 2022 as things stand.

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Lingard could agree a move to Spurs on a free deal later this year or, alternatively, sign for the Lilywhites and manager Antonio Conte for a reduced fee this month.

Alasdair Gold and Sky Sports both back that Tottenham are interested with Sportitalia TV reporter Galetti now sharing what he knows.

The Latest: Galetti makes Lingard to Spurs claim…

According to his update, Spurs have made contact to ask for information alongside competitors West Ham and Newcastle in the race for his signing.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, could even let him leave Old Trafford for less than £10 million this month as United ‘request’ around ‘€10-15m’ (£8.4m-£12.5m).

The Verdict: Bargain?

Homegrown, proven in the Premier League and at international level – signing Lingard this month for anywhere around £8.4m could prove to be a masterstroke by sporting director Fabio Paratici.

If they can get a deal done, or alternatively wait to the summer, the 29-year-old could come in to finally fill the void left by former fan favourite Christian Eriksen in a creative midfield role.

Scoring nine goals and assisting four others across his half-season loan spell at West Ham in 2021, he was lauded as ‘phenomenal’ and the top flight’s best player on form at the time (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT).

Nurturing that ability from Lingard could certainly boost Tottenham and Conte’s rebuild at N17.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option to buy ‘sensational’ player after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

With the 2022 January transfer window now open, this will allow clubs such as Leeds United to make any potential transfer deals that they may want to complete to strengthen their squad.

Looking ahead to the next few weeks, it seems as though Bielsa has his eye on one player that he would like to see in his squad in the future.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke had this to say about Bielsa’s interest in Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

He said: “I think he was interested in O’Brien. He does like him as a player. He thinks he’s got the style and profile that fits the way he wants to play football.”

As a product of Huddersfield’s youth system, O’Brien has made a total of 107 appearances for the Championship club across all competitions in which he has managed to score seven goals and provide eight assists along the way.

Having been linked with a move to Elland Road during the previous summer transfer window to the point that Leeds reportedly made four offers to Huddersfield for with a maximum reported transfer bid of £13m, this shows just how desperate Leeds were to sign the 23-year-old.

This also doesn’t make it much of a surprise to hear the extent of Bielsa’s interest in the player from O’Rourke.

However, it would still excite a lot of Leeds fans to hear just how infatuated the manager is with the player, potentially reopening the door for another move for the midfielder during the current January transfer window.

Although, with the Englishman putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Huddersfield back in September that will see him stay at the Championship club until 2025, it could take a lot more than the £13m bid Leeds offered a few months ago if they want to sign him this time around.

If Bielsa is still desperate to bring O’Brien to Elland Road, then Leeds’ hierarchy should definitely explore the possibility of potentially signing him this month and eventually granting their Argentine tactician his wish of adding the Terriers ace to his squad.

With Leeds only having three senior players in their squad that predominantly play in the central-midfield role, it could be worth the club signing another option for this position whether they are able to secure O’Brien’s signature or not to give them a bit of extra depth.

On the evidence of their injuries, primarily in that third of the pitch, it provides another reason for fans to be elated about their interest in him.

In other news: Bielsa can finally axe “humiliating” Leeds dud by signing “first-class” 28 y/o machine – opinion

Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, met on Monday and decided against a circuit breaker over the festive period.

Villa shared the Premier League’s statement on their official Twitter channel, with a number of supporters reacting to the update.

Villa have been hit with a rapid rise of virus cases and had to cancel their match against Burnley on Saturday. The club had requested for the game to be called off at 10:30am on Saturday morning, but the fixture wasn’t officially postponed until 12:40pm, with little more than two hours to the scheduled kick-off time.

It was the sixth and final top-flight match to be postponed over the weekend (and the 10th in the space of a week) due to the pandemic, but the Premier League confirmed that it is ‘collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible’.

That means Villa’s Boxing Day meeting with Chelsea is still on at this moment in time despite the outbreak at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many not happy regarding the statement, which one supporter described as a “joke” in the increasingly worrying circumstances.

“Looks like I’ll be ready to go and then end up in the pub again lol, feel sorry for people that travel a far distance for them to call it off last minute, the Premier league are a joke”

Credit: @SamBrogan3

“’The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority…’ Complete lies”

Credit: @Sayers8

“Gonna spread like wildfire. But money must come first”

Credit: @ajsfounded71

“So half a squad for Boxing Day’s game… Isolation is 10 days”

Credit: @VillaCannock

“If that’s case we probs have to field half the team with youth players, guarantee if it was other way around with Chelsea the game would’ve already been postponed”

Credit: @Hellyer7

“Looking after the so called big six again!”

Credit: @austinw1957

In other news: ‘On my knees’ – Many Aston Villa fans erupt as Lange makes ‘bold’ January transfer bid