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يستعد منتخب مصر للمحليين، لخوض مباراة قوية أمام جنوب إفريقيا، في إطار منافسات تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه منتخب مصر نظيره جنوب إفريقيا، يوم الأحد المقبل، في لقاء الإياب، ضمن التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين.

وانتهت مباراة الذهاب بين مصر وجنوب إفريقيا بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لكل فريق، بالمواجهة التي أقيمت الأسبوع الماضي.

طريق مصر | منتخب مالاوي يفوز على جزر القمر ويتأهل إلى المرحلة الثانية من تصفيات أمم إفريقيا للمحليين

ويتولى وائل رياض شيتوس مهمة القيادة الفنية لمنتخب مصر للمحليين في الفترة الحالية.

ويلتقي الفائز من مجموع مباراتي مصر وجنوب إفريقيا، المتأهل من جزر القمر ومالاوي في المرحلة الثانية من التصفيات، على أن يُقام لقاء الذهاب في أحد أيام 2 أو 3 أو 4 مايو المقبل، والإياب أحد أيام 10 أو 11 أو 12 من الشهر نفسه.

تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام جنوب إفريقيا في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين تشكيل منتخب مصر للمحليين المتوقع أمام جنوب إفريقيا 

حراسة المرمى: محمود أبو السعود.

خط الدفاع: ميشو عمارة – عبدالرحمن صميدة – لؤي وائل – شريف رضا.

خط الوسط: مصطفى جمال – يوسف الجوهري – محمود دياسطي.

وفي الهجوم: سيد نيمار – محمد عنتر – ومحمد السيد “شيكا”.

Liverpool are believed to have entered the race to sign a “versatile” player capable of thriving on either flank, according to a new transfer claim.

Liverpool transfer news

The futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah continue to dominate some of the headlines at Anfield, with the trio all out of contract at the end of this season.

Sevilla ace Juanlu Sanchez has been linked with a move to Liverpool, potentially being eyed up as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold, should the unthinkable happen and the Reds’ vice-captain decides not to sign an extension at his boyhood club. The 21-year-old can thrive at right-back and in midfield, and represented Spain’s Olympic team earlier this summer.

In terms of a possible Salah replacement, Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams is reportedly being viewed as a target, following an outstanding Euro 2024 campaign with Spain, winning the trophy and registering three goal contributions (two goals and one assist).

Meanwhile, Freiburg youngster Merlin Rohl has also emerged as a rumoured option for Liverpool, with his current club desperate to keep hold of him, offering him a new contract in the process. It remains to be seen if the midfielder’s head will be turned by the Reds’ interest.

Liverpool in the race to sign versatile ace

According to TuttoMercatoWeb journalist Niccolo Ceccarini [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are in the race to sign Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, with Tottenham also thought to be eyeing a move for him.

The 19-year-old is also wanted by Serie A giants Napoli, while AC Milan are mentioned as potential suitors, too, with his current team knowing it will be “difficult” to retain his services beyond this season, not least if an “important” offer arrives from another club.

At 19, Dorgu is still such a young player, so it would be unfair to expect him to be a star from the off at Liverpool, but he could be an ideal addition for Arne Slot.

Smarterscout have lauded his ability on X, saying: “Patrick Dorgu could be on course for a breakout season. A versatile wing player, he can play anywhere on the left or even as a RW. He showed promising signs with his link-up play and movement into the danger area last season, so he should aim to build on that.”

Dorgu can excel at left-back, meaning Liverpool could view the Lecce youngster as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson. Now 30, the Scot may just be slightly past his absolute peak, so the Dane could come in as an understudy to begin with, prior to usurping the Reds hero.

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Sep 29, 2024

The fact that the two-cap Denmark international can also play on the left wing is an added bonus for Slot – he can thrive on the right-hand side in defence and attack, too – so it is easy to see why the Reds value him. There is clearly stiff competition for him, but Liverpool are still arguably the most exciting option out of themselves, Spurs, Napoli and Milan, given their current standing in Europe.

It’s been a hectic and incredibly tough start to life in the Premier League for Ipswich Town this season, but they are handling it brilliantly so far.

Kieran McKenna’s side were given possibly the most challenging opening fixtures of anyone in the league this year. To kick things off, they played a home game against Liverpool, followed by an away trip to Manchester City, just in case the fans forgot how tough the top-flight can be.

Understandably, the Tractor Boys didn’t pick up any points from those games, but they have since picked up a point against Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and most impressively, Aston Villa.

In all, things are looking good for McKenna’s side, and while they might not be full of household names, there are more than enough talented players in the squad who could keep them up this year, including Liam Delap.

Delap's start to the season

Delap cost Ipswich around £15m plus a further £5m in potential add-ons in July, and while that is a fairly significant amount of money for a young striker, it’s not unreasonable considering his 32-game stint with Hull City last season, in which he scored eight goals and provided two assists.

Moreover, in 55 games for City’s various junior sides, the Winchester-born poacher racked up a seriously impressive haul of 46 goals and 16 assists, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 0.88 games.

Now, while he isn’t going to recreate those sorts of numbers at Portman Road, the 21-year-old forward has got off to a flying start, finding the back of the net away to Fulham and twice in the draw at home to Champions League contending Villa.

It’s still very early in Delaps’s Ipswich career, but if he can maintain his current form of scoring a goal every 2.33 games or so, then not only will the club have a brilliant chance of staying up, but his valuation will surely exceed his fee as well. That said, the Englishman is not the only McKenna signing coming good this season.

Axel Tuanzebe's Ipswich career

Yes, the McKenna signing in question is former Manchester United ace Axel Tuanzebe, who joined the club on a free last September, just three months after leaving the Red Devils.

However, the once-capped Congolese international only signed a one-year deal, likely due to persistent injury problems that had limited him to just 90 first-team appearances at that point in his career, which for a then-25-year-old was more than a little concerning.

Unfortunately for the Bunia-born defender, despite his undeniable quality, fitness issues once again impacted him at the start of last season, and up until around late February, he played very few games for the club. However, once he eventually got into the side, he became the club’s first-choice right-back and made 21 appearances across all competitions.

Appearances

27

Points per Game

1.74

Goals

1

Assists

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.07

In June, the newly promoted side confirmed that they had activated the option to extend the 26-year-old’s £40k-per-week contract for another year, and what a decision that has turned out to be.

In stark contrast to last season, the 6 foot 1 ace has played in and started all six of the Tractor Boys’ league fixtures so far, and though it’s been tough going at times, he has not looked out of his depth at this level.

For example, he was given an 8/10 rating for his performance against Villa by TNT Sports’ Paul Hassall, a 7/10 by the East Anglian Daily Times’ Alex Jones for his display against Fulham, and another 8/10 from Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz for the 0-0 draw with Brighton.

Ultimately, Tuanzebe is looking every bit like a Premier League player, and while Transfermarkt has him valued at just €3m – £2.5m – at the moment, that price will surely only increase if he can remain fit, and if he can, then he may well end up being just as crucial to Ipswich’s survival chances as Delap.

McKenna may have found Ipswich their own Grealish in "unplayable" star

The tremendously exciting attacker could play a big part in the Tractor Boys’ season this year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 1, 2024

Turning their attention towards a midfielder once again, Liverpool now reportedly believe they can force one club to sell a player who Arne Slot loves and could even strike a deal in January.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds very publicly missed out on Martin Zubimendi in the summer, with the Real Sociedad star remaining loyal to his boyhood club in an unexpected twist for those at Anfield. At the time, it almost seemed enough to leave Slot with an instant problem, but the rise of Ryan Gravenberch from an unused player under Jurgen Klopp to Liverpool’s player of the season so far has quickly made Zubimendi a forgotten man.

The Dutchman cannot hold the fort on his own forever though, especially if Liverpool want to set course for Premier League and Champions League glory in a new era once again. And that could see them turn towards the January transfer window to complete Arne Slot’s midfield once and for all. Of course, as shown in last night’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, squad depth is key.

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool now believe now can force Feyenoord to sell Quinten Timber and may even make their move in the January transfer window due to the midfielder’s contract situation.

Timber, of course, played under Slot at Feyenoord and the Dutchman is reportedly a huge fan of the midfielder that Liverpool initially had on their shortlist in the summer, only for his side to remain firm on their transfer stance. Now, however, with the club captain approaching the final 18 months of his deal, which runs out in 2026, the Dutch club need to make a decision on whether to cash in while they still have the chance to make a hefty sum.

Slot must axe Liverpool ace who earns more than Diaz & Konate

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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 25, 2024

Liverpool believe Feyenoord’s stance has softened and could hand the 23 year-old the chance to square off against twin brother Jurrien Timber against Arsenal in the Premier League.

"Superb" Timber would complete Liverpool midfield

There’s arguably no better way to reward Slot for such an excellent start at Liverpool than by reuniting him with a player who previously starred when working under him. Timber, still just 23 years old, has already enjoyed a strong start to the campaign at Feyenoord, netting two goals in six games from midfield even as his side have struggled to bounce back from Slot’s departure with two wins in five Eredivisie outings.

Goals

2

0

Progressive Carries P90

0.79

3

Progressive Passes P90

4.21

7.40

Key Passes P90

1.05

0.40

Whilst the numbers highlight just how well Gravenberch has done since slotting in just in front of Liverpool’s back four, they also show the more attacking strengths of Timber in what would be quite the partnership in the middle of the park.

The 23-year-old has earned plenty of praise during his time at Feyenoord, with Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig dubbing Timber a “superb signing” last season. Now, just two seasons into his time at the Dutch giants, Liverpool could swoop in as early as January and reunite Slot with a midfielder who knows all about his system.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was backed by the board during the summer transfer window as they splashed the cash on several signings to bolster the squad.

The Hoops reportedly agreed a fee of up to £9.5m with Norwich City to sign centre-forward Adam Idah, which had the potential to break the club’s transfer record – Odsonne Edouard’s £9m move from PSG – at the time.

That record was then smashed by the signing of central midfielder Arne Engels from Augsburg for a reported fee of £11m, which meant that the club could end up paying over £20m for Idah and Engels combined.

The Belgian whiz has become the most expensive incoming midfielder in the club’s history but Rodgers did once want to sign a midfielder for the club who is now worth significantly more than £11m.

Celtic's interest in Declan Rice

Speaking back in January, the Northern Irish head coach revealed that he had attempted to sign Declan Rice from Premier League side West Ham United during his first spell at the club, between 2016 and 2019.

Rodgers claimed that Celtic spent “three months” trying to secure the English youngster’s services and that he was “all set” to make the move to Parkhead, although it was not specified whether it would have been a loan or a permanent switch.

However, the Hammers then picked up an injury that scuppered the deal and the Bhoys boss stated that Rice then worked his way into the side.

Rodgers did not reveal what window that deal fell through in but the then-teenage ace made his first-team breakthrough as a regular during the 2017/18 campaign, which suggests that the Hoops had tried to sign him in the summer of 2017.

Declan Rice's current market value

That turned out to be one that got away for Celtic as Rice’s career in England has gone from strength to strength since his move to Celtic fell through.

He emerged as a regular starter for the Hammers, making 245 first-team appearances, and earned himself a big-money switch to Arsenal last year.

The England international, who was dubbed “influential” by Jamie Carragher, penned a five-year contract at The Emirates and was bought for an initial fee of £100m, which speaks to his incredible rise since coming through the academy at West Ham.

23/24 Premier League

Declan Rice

Appearances

38

Goals

7

Assists

8

Pass accuracy

91%

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old star enjoyed a terrific debut campaign with the London giants, as he was directly involved in 15 goals and consistently cut out opposition attacks with tackles and interceptions.

Rice, who was described as a “monster” by presenter Joe Thomlinson, has emerged as one of the finest players in the Premier League, as shown by his statistics and Transfermarkt making him the fifth-most valuable player in the division at €120m (£100m).

This shows that the England international was one that got away for Rodgers and Celtic during the manager’s first spell in charge, as they missed out on a player with gigantic potential.

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Posts 1 ByDan Emery Sep 12, 2024

The transfer window is set to come to a dramatic close in just a matter of days, and plenty of teams are looking to conduct some last-minute business, including Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been incredibly busy this summer, bringing in many talented additions, including Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and even Manuel Ugarte, who should be announced any minute now.

However, it would appear that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co want to bring in even more new faces to help speed along their revolution, and one of the most surprising players to be touted for a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks has been Raheem Sterling.

The Chelsea ace has been frozen out of things at Stamford Bridge and could get back to his best at Old Trafford, which could happen if United also pick up the latest young star touted for a move to the club.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a recent report from Spain, United are one of several teams interested in Girona ace Miguel Gutierrez.

Alongside the Red Devils, the report claims that Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund are all keen on the talented left-back, while Real Madrid, who own 50% of his rights, have the option to come back in for him.

A price is not mentioned in the report, but the 23-year-old is valued at €24.5m – £20m – by Football Transfers, and while the La Liga side would undoubtedly want more than that, it does suggest that a move might not completely break the bank for a big club like United.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gutierrez's incredible form last season, it is one worth pursuing, especially if Sterling makes his way to United, as the young full-back could help revive the Englishman's fortunes.

Why Gutierrez could revive Sterling

Okay, so let's get straight to the point with this one. There is one reason, above all others, why Gutierrez might be able to help Sterling get back to his best at United: his attacking quality.

Yes, the five-capped Spaniard is a more than capable defender, and his ability to do so on the left would, in turn, give the Englishman more license to roam forwards, but it is his impressive level of output that would see him strike up a brilliant partnership with the former Manchester City ace.

For example, in his 40 appearances for Girona last season, the 23-year-old "weapon", as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored two goals and provided nine assists, meaning that he averaged a goal involvement every 3.63 games, which is unreal for a defender.

Gutiérrez in 23/24

Competition

La Liga

Copa del Rey

Appearances

35

5

Goals

2

0

Assists

7

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.40

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the former Real ace sits in the top 6% of full-backs for expected assists, non-penalty expected goals plus assists and pass completion, the top 16% for total shots and the top 18% for actual assists, all per 90.

This helps to show that he wasn't just running hot last season, and if anything, playing in a team with more talent around him could help his numbers improve further.

Just imagine a left-hand side with the 82-capped Englishman flying down the wings to get on the end of a brilliant pass from the Girona ace; it could provide another option to Ten Hag during hard-fought encounters.

Ultimately, it could be a challenging transfer to get over the line, but if United really are going to bring Sterling in on some kind of swap deal this summer, then signing the incredibly exciting Gutierrez to help get the most out of him on the left seems like a brilliant idea.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Aug 28, 2024

أكد نافع السعيد، المدرب العام لنادي بتروجيت، أن الفريق يسير بشكل جيد بفضل العمل الجماعي والدعم الكبير الذي يقدمه مجلس الإدارة، مشيرًا إلى أن المدير الفني سيد عيد يقود الفريق بشكل مميز، ويسعى لتحقيق أفضل النتائج.

وحول ما يتردد بشأن مفاوضات الأهلي مع رشاد المتولي، قال السعيد: “لا نتمسك باللاعب كما يُشاع، لكن لم يصلنا أي عرض رسمي من الأهلي لضمه، كل ما يقال مجرد حديث وكلاء”.

بعد تصريحات وكيله.. علي معلول يظهر في مقر الأهلي

وأضاف رشاد في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير “ميجا إف إم”: “العرض الرسمي الوحيد الذي تلقيناه فكان لأحمد رضا، حيث تدخل محمود الخطيب وأنهى الصفقة فورًا باتصال واحد”.

وتابع: “كجهاز فني لا يمكننا تحمل رحيل لاعبين في فترة الانتقالات الحالية، لذلك أغلق سيد عيد ملف أي انتقالات، وإذا وُجدت عروضًا جديدة فسيتم مناقشتها في الصيف، لكن حتى الآن لا يوجد أي شيء رسمي، ولو حدث فسيكون نهاية الموسم”.

وعن انتقال أحمد رضا إلى الأهلي، أشاد السعيد بإمكانات اللاعب، قائلًا: “هو خامة جيدة جدًا، والضغوطات ستكون العامل الوحيد الذي قد يؤثر عليه، لأننا في بتروجيت لا نعيش تحت الضغوط مثل الأهلي، لكنه يتمتع بشخصية قوية، وتجربته مع الزمالك سابقًا ستساعده على التأقلم”.

واختتم: “أحمد رضا يجيد اللعب في مركز 6 وفي قلب الدفاع، ويتميز بالقوة والسرعة والقدرة على بناء اللعب، وهو جيد جدًا في الالتحامات، وأعتقد أنه سيكون نجمًا جديدًا للأهلي”.

West Ham United's exciting transfer window under new management has faced several hiccups, with Noussair Mazraoui joining Jean-Clair Todibo in rejecting the east Londoners after terms were agreed between clubs.

Indeed, as per Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, West Ham's proposed transfer of the Bayern Munich right-back is now off, with the Moroccan now angling toward Manchester United.

Let's hope that technical director Tim Steidten is still worth his salt and will push to sign a full-back this summer, the Hammers are certainly not in dire straits but will need to seek alternative routes. That may take time.

In that case, perhaps West Ham should now seek to accelerate negotiations for an exciting target and provide the fanbase with an injection of excitement.

West Ham lead the race for touted attacker

According to Caught Offside, West Ham are leading the race for Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville, who was crowned the Championship MVP last season.

It's revealed that the Hammers are actively working on signing the Dutchman, aged 22, after Leeds failed to clinch promotion to the Premier League last year, losing to Southampton in the play-off final.

The sticking point in protracted negotiations stems from the transfer fee: the Whites are demanding £35m while West Ham have presented a £20m plus bonuses bid.

Why West Ham must sign Crysencio Summerville

Principally a left winger, Summerville was superb in the second tier last season, with Leeds' relegation one year ago candidly proving to be a beneficial move to the player's development.

Having posted 21 goals and ten assists across all competitions last season, Summerville could be a wonderful addition on the flank, bringing the electrifying pace and dribbling skills to complement Irons centre-forward target Jhon Duran.

Aston Villa have fielded multiple enquiries and bids for the Colombian maverick, aged 20, this summer, the latest of which – £30m plus Lewis Orford – was rejected. Still, Duran wants the move and there is tentative hope that he will be clad in West Ham claret come September at the latest.

Goals

0.39

Top 5%

Assists

0.23

Top 15%

Shot-creating actions

6.10

Top 1%

Progressive carries

5.04

Top 7%

Successful take-ons

2.52

Top 9%

Summerville has the ball-carrying brilliance in his locker to truly unlock Duran's fearsome talent, blending the various facets of the attacking game together to a resounding effect.

His unique, game-changing approach could even see him become new head coach Julen Lopetegui's very own version of Dimitri Payet, whose fleeting spell in east London has cemented cult hero status.

The Frenchman clinched 12 goals and 15 assists across a triumphant debut campaign that left nothing to be desired, to turn an idiom on its head. Magical, beguiling, celestial – pick your superlative, Payet embodied it as his playmaking genius left the Premier League in awe.

Homesickness pulled Payet back to Marseille in France after only a year and a half, but no one can argue against the attacking midfielder's quality at his best.

Summerville, while dissimilar in terms of actual playing style, carries a similar kind of gusto and could captivate Hammers supporters next season, emulating Payet with his own game-changing ability – having been hailed as a "wizard" by former Leeds coach, Michael Skubala.

Equally, much like that man Payet, the in-demand sensation is also the type of player who can "produce moments out of nothing", in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, thus helping to add a real sprinkling of stardust to Lopetegui's ranks.

Hopefully, the Dutchman will soon be firing West Ham back into Europe and back into the ascendancy.

West Ham hit gold on star who's worth more than Duran & Mazraoui combined

The Hammers would field enquiries for his sale, but only if a record fee is thrown his way.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 26, 2024

The new manager said those who play in North America's top flight will be given regular opportunities with USMNT

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• Mauricio Pochettino promised equal opportunity for MLS players
• Asserted that the league was 'not easy' and 'physical'
• Pointed to Miami's Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, as a model

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino says that MLS players will have the same opportunities to get into the national team as their European counterparts.

  The newly-minted manager hailed the quality of MLS, saying Sunday that members of his talent pool who play in the league every week will be just as well-equipped to feature for the USMNT as those in Europe. He highlighted Messi, who he dubbed "the best player in the world" as the perfect example.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pochettino has been vocal about the opportunities available to MLS players, pledging at his introductory news conference to dip into domestic talent when forming his squads. The current U.S. setup features just four MLS players, although 17 were developed in the U.S. youth soccer system.

• WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  Pochettino pledged that those playing in the U.S. will get opportunities: "It's not easy to play in [MLS]. It's very physical, all of the players who have played here for a long time say 'Gaffer, it is very competitive.' They have very good discipline, they train very well.

  "And why not? For me, they are going to have the same possibility playing in MLS as those that play in the Premier League, in la Liga, in Belgium, in France. They need to know in private, they need to know in public."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR POCHETTINO AND THE USMNT?

  The U.S. will take on Jamaica Monday night in the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal. They currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead after Ricardo Pepi scored the only goal of the first leg in Kingston on Thursday.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are prepared to put in the hard yards in a holding role during England’s Test series in Sri Lanka, and accept that they are unlikely to play every game in Asia over the next two months.England opted to pick only one of Anderson and Broad at a time in their 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka in late 2018, with the pair taking just one wicket between them in a combined 55 overs as spin dominated the series. While Sri Lanka’s most recent home series against New Zealand saw the seamers play a slightly greater role, head coach Mickey Arthur told the on Thursday that he expected “typical Sri Lankan conditions” in the two Tests at Galle this month.Speaking on Sky Sports’ Cricket Show, both Anderson and Broad said that they expected to perform a defensive role in the series, and said that they are anticipating some rotation among bowlers on their tour of the subcontinent. Straight after the second Test in Sri Lanka, England will fly to India for a four-match series, starting on February 5 in Chennai.James Anderson bowls in the nets•ECB

“You do play a slightly different role [in Sri Lanka],” Anderson said. “As was the case last time we were here, the spinners are the attacking option and the seamers then have a holding role – it’s almost breaking up the spinners and trying to give them a rest, whereas in England, they might be doing that job and you’re the more attacking bowler. It’s a different outlook on it as a seamer, but you’re still in the game and you can still get wickets.””Galle might be a pitch that if you bowl 20 overs, 1 for 40, you’ve actually done a brilliant role,” Broad said. “If you do that for your whole career, you’re not going to stay in the side that long, averaging 40, but it’s being realistic. For a spinner in England, a perfect job would be: first innings, 20 overs, 1 for 40, and then he comes into the game later on. I think we flip that over here: we can hold in the first innings, and then you might get reverse-swing later in the game when the pitch is warm… and the ball roughs up slightly.”It’s unrealistic to think that you’re going to play all six Test matches and be the leading wicket-taker in these conditions. You just have to not get greedy when you get that opportunity: if you play three Tests out of six, [you have to] do your role for those three Tests, not selfishly try to get wickets to get you in the next game.”Anderson suggested this week that Sri Lanka will have “a slight advantage” going into the first Test, having recently completed a two-match series in South Africa while England have not played a Test since late August. England’s red-ball specialists trained in a heated marquee at Loughborough in the final few months of 2020 while the white-ball sides have not played in more than a month, and Broad admitted that the touring squad was “a bit shy” on match fitness a week out from the first Test.Related

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“In international cricket these days you don’t get these sorts of breaks, normally,” he said. “It is a long period of time without spending time in the field, keeping the bones used to fast bowling.”We’re probably a bit shy on match fitness but you’ve got to make the best of what you can. We’ve got warm-up games over the next two days, and that’ll be just about acclimatising to the conditions, but it is by far the shortest preparation time I can remember on an England tour.”Meanwhile, Anderson backed Jonny Bairstow to make a success of his recall to the red-ball side after a year-long absence, but suggested he had underachieved in his Test career to date. Bairstow averages 34.74 with the bat after 70 Tests, but said on Thursday that his game is “in the best place it’s [ever] been” going into the Sri Lanka series.”As we’ve seen when he’s played for England in the past, he can bat anywhere in the order, and he’s got this determination that [means] he wants to do well, he wants to succeed,” Anderson said.”He’s someone who I look at him and think he should probably have done better than how he has done for England. But obviously, situations with going up and down the order, it’s not been easy for him. I’d like to think that he’s got much more in the tank for England.”