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An injury expert has dropped a ‘worrying’ claim on Jamal Lewis, as he could now face a long spell on the sidelines at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Lewis injury

Speaking to the media last week (via The Chronicle), Eddie Howe revealed that the St. James’ Park faithful ‘don’t expect’ Lewis to be back ‘for the foreseeable future’, after admitting himself that his injury ‘looks bad’, and could be a ‘hamstring problem’.

Nonetheless, it is not clear just how long he will be out for, although an injury expert has now given a likely timeframe.

The Latest: Could be ‘eight weeks’

Speaking to Football Insider, injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in both medicine and data analysis, has claimed that it is likely that Lewis has injured his hamstring, and suspects that he could now be out for up to ‘eight weeks’:

“The mechanism of injury was the acceleration phase of a sprint.

“He pulled up fairly sharply, which is a good indication that it is his hamstring.

“The worrying thing is you have varying degrees of strain. If it is a grade one, you would expect him to be back for the festive period.

“But the fact that Eddie Howe has said that he is out for the ‘foreseeable future’ means it’s probably more severe, maybe high-end grade two.

“If that is the case, it could be somewhere between four and eight weeks, so maybe after the winter break.”

The Verdict: Blow

It would certainly be a blow if the North East club are without Lewis for the next few weeks.

The Northern Ireland international has been a revelation under Howe, as he started their last four matches in the Premier League before his injury, where he was barely getting a look-in under Steve Bruce (Transfermarkt).

The former Burnley and AFC Bournemouth manager sung his praises before raising his concerns over his injury, claiming that Lewis has been ‘excellent’ in his athletic work, while former top-flight striker Noel Whelan has recently complemented the ‘real energy’ that he has to get up and down the left flank.

Nonetheless, with fixtures piling up during and after the hectic festive period, Howe will now find it more difficult to win games without Lewis in his team.

In other news, find out which ‘exemplary’ maestro NUFC have made a big offer for here!

Matt Prior scored his first hundred for over a year in front of England captain Andrew Strauss and national selector James Whitaker to hold Sussex’s batting together on day one of their County Championship clash with Middlesex at Hove

05-May-2010
ScorecardMatt Prior’s dazzling hundred held Sussex’s innings together•Getty ImagesMatt Prior scored his first hundred for over a year in front of England captain Andrew Strauss and national selector James Whitaker to hold Sussex’s batting together on day one of their County Championship clash with Middlesex at Hove.The 26-year-old’s unbeaten 123 came in a disappointing total of 217 as the second division leaders’ decision to bat first on a well-grassed pitch was undermined by some consistently probing Middlesex seam bowling.Prior gave one difficult chance on 15 when Scott Newman dropped him running in from the backward-point boundary, but otherwise he played with his customary freedom – particularly through the off-side – as he struck 15 boundaries from 149 balls faced in 222 minutes.Prior looked like he might miss out on what was his 21st first-class hundred when Sussex slumped to 166 for 8, but Monty Panesar, another player looking to impress Strauss, helped him add 46 for the ninth wicket – of which he contributed seven.But while Prior prospered once he had got established, batting was a desperate struggle for his team-mates – none of whom managed more than skipper Murray Goodwin’s 17. The pair added 62 for the fourth wicket after Tim Murtagh had picked up two wickets with his new ball outswingers and Joe Gatting had lost his off stump to Gareth Berg to leave the leaders reeling on 28 for 3.Goodwin was looking the part when he chased a wide one from Murtagh and was well taken low down by Strauss at slip. Sussex’s middle order offered little support to Prior with Andrew Hodd falling for nine to former team-mate Tom Smith. The left-arm spinner, who left Hove to join Middlesex in the winter, beat him in the flight in his fourth over to claim the first Championship wicket of his career.James Anyon sacrificed his wicket after a mix-up with Prior ended with both men at the same end and Berg wrapped up the innings with two wickets in three overs. Middlesex’s batsmen found the going just as difficult and Strauss’ poor early-season form continued when he fell for 13.Nine championship innings have yielded 226 runs for Strauss, who had just played the shot of the day – a straight drive off Rana Naved – when he gloved an attempted pull off the next delivery and was caught by Prior, keeping wicket for the first time this season ahead of the start of the Test series against Bangladesh in three weeks.After a brief stoppage for bad light, Middlesex were plunged into more trouble when Corey Collymore had Newman caught behind before pinning Dawid Malan for a second-ball duck. Another stoppage ended play 11 overs early with Middlesex 46 for 3 and much depending on Owais Shah, who finished unbeaten on nine.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Malian striker Moussa Marega…

What’s the talk?

According to Foot Mercato, the Magpies are preparing an offer to sign the centre-forward permanently from Al-Hilal this month.

The report claims that fellow Premier League side Everton are also keen, whilst it remains to be seen what the player’s intentions are.

Ba 2.0

Eddie Howe could find Newcastle’s Demba Ba 2.0 in a deal for the forward. He has earned the nickname ‘terminator’ and this is what he could be for the Magpies with his lethal finishing in front of goal potentially helping them to avoid relegation down to the Championship.

Marega has 105 career goals to his name and 72 of those came during a terrific spell with FC Porto in Portugal. He managed 72 goals and 33 assists in 190 games for the Portuguese giants, which works out at a goal contribution every 1.8 matches on average.

The 30-year-old also played for Maritimo and Vitoria in Liga Bwin and produced an impressive 77 strikes and 37 assists in 180 matches in the division for the three clubs combined. This works out at a goal contribution every 1.57 games.

Demba Ba, meanwhile, managed 29 goals and seven assists in 58 games for Newcastle. This means that he popped up with a goal or assist every 1.61 outings on average, which is a remarkably similar rate to the one Marega produced in the Portuguese top-flight – suggesting that he could have a similarly big impact on Tyneside as the Senegalese forward.

Marega was once hailed by Porto boss Sergio Conceicao, with the coach saying:

“A lot of people criticize Marega because they think his technique is not the best, but for me that’s what technique is, the movement he makes, being in the face of the goal with incredible ease, the way he catches the ball when shooting on goal. For me that’s what counts in a player and not juggling, that this is in the circus and we are a football team.”

Newcastle could land their new Ba and goalscoring ‘terminator’ by securing a deal for Marega and Howe must ensure that PIF are able to get a move over the line before the end of the month. His goals and assists could win crucial points for the Magpies and help them in the battle against the drop.

AND in other news, “I’m hearing…”: Journo drops exciting NUFC transfer claim that’ll have fans buzzing…

Pakistan’s captain for the Asia Cup and the tour of England, has stepped up efforts to convince Mohammad Yousuf to come out of retirement

Cricinfo staff27-May-2010Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s captain for the Asia Cup and the tour of England, has stepped up efforts to convince Mohammad Yousuf to come out of retirement and bolster the side’s potentially tough Test assignment in England, where they face off against the hosts and Australia.”I’ve talked to Yousuf and I’ve also talked to a few elders, who can influence him to come out of retirement for the sake of Pakistan,” Afridi told the . “I am sure that he would listen to them and change his mind about retiring from international cricket. We will certainly need his services in England.”Yousuf announced his retirement from the game following the ban issued by the PCB after Pakistan’s unsuccessful tour of Australia. Of the seven punished players, he was the only one to not file a formal appeal against the punishments imposed. On Tuesday, Pakistan announced the 35-member list of probables for the two upcoming tours. Five of the punished players, including Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik who are currently serving bans that are due to be reviewed, were included in the long list, but Yousuf was not considered.The England tour begins in end-June, and Afridi is confident that there is enough time for Yousuf to prepare for the tour even if he is included in the eleventh hour. “Yousuf is a great batsman and I’m sure that even if he just plays in a couple of warm-up matches before the Test series, he will be ready for the tough assignment. He won’t need much time to get ready for the tour.”Yousuf confirmed that Afridi has been in discussions with him over a possible comeback. “Yes Afridi called me up and we spoke at length about the cricket scenario. I told him I took the decision to retire after seeking advice from my elders and I can only take back the retirement decision if my elders give me permission to do this,” Yousuf said.Since embracing Islam, Yousuf has sought out religious elders during his trips to Raiwind and on preaching missions. He is known to follow their advice before making important decisions.

Gabby Agbonlahor has become the latest pundit to address Celtic’s triple swoop for Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Triple deal, more to come?

Ange Postecoglou and Michael Nicholson have wasted no time in getting players through the Parkhead door in 2022, with moves for Hatate, Ideguchi and Maeda already finalised.

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Midfielders Hatate and Ideguchi have penned four-and-a-half-year contracts, whereas forward Maeda has joined on loan with a transfer becoming permanent in the summer.

The Hoops now seem to be turning their attention to offloading players and looking to sign loanees Cameron Carter-Vickers on a full-time basis, with Celtic back in action in ten days time.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who regularly features on talkSPORT, was talking to Football Insider regarding the New Year’s Eve moves for the Japanese trio.

Here’s what he had to say in reply, labelling the moves as ‘amazing business’.

“You’ve got time with the winter break to see what they can do.

“Get them working together, get them used to their new teammates.

“I’m sure they’re very, very good players and it could turn out to be amazing business for Celtic.

“They’ve now got a group of people who can help each other. They are from the same country so that’s going to help them settle in more.

“It’s looking positive for Celtic.”

The Verdict: Shrewd signings

The Hoops have already reaped the rewards from the J1 League market with Kyogo Furuhahsi’s £4.86m move in the summer, and it seems as if Hatate, Ideguchi and Maeda could cost less all combined. [Transfermarkt]

Hatate is a versatile midfielder who helped his previous employers win back-to-back titles, Ideguchi has been back playing regularly following a troubled spell with Leeds United, while Maeda has just come off the best goalscoring year of his career.

So, overall, Celtic appear to have got themselves three bargains, and there could well be more additions to come before the end of the month, with a move for teenage talent Johnny Kenny expected to be wrapped up imminently.

In other news: Celtic now after ‘energetic’ star with Jan business not slowing up; Ange ‘well aware’ of target. 

Pete O’Rourke has dropped a teasing transfer claim concerning West Ham United’s interest in a deal to bring Gleison Bremer to the London Stadium.

What’s been said?

In recent comments made to Football FanCast, the transfer insider revealed that David Moyes’ side, who had been heavily linked with a move for the Torino centre-back in the buildup to the January transfer window, have indeed been keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 24-year-old ahead of a potential swoop – with the Serie A side reported to be demanding a figure of around €30m (£25m) in order to part with the Brazilian.

Speaking about the interest in Bremer, the journalist told FFC: “He’s a player who has been linked with the Premier League before, West Ham and Liverpool have looked at him.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how much West Ham have struggled defensively following the loss of both Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna to injury, the news that the Hammers are closely monitoring potential centre-back targets – particularly one with the ability of Bremer – in the January transfer window is sure to have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over the seven fixtures in which Moyes has been without his first-choice centre-back pairing, the Irons have lost three games and conceded 11 goals – form which could well prove to be extremely costly for the club’s top-four chances once the sides currently below them in the table have played their games in hand.

As such, it is clear to see that the Hammers are in desperate need of greater depth in the heart of their defence, with Bremer appearing to a make fantastic addition to the 58-year-old’s current options at the London Stadium.

Indeed, over his 20 Serie A appearances so far this season, the £18m-rated defender has helped his side keep five clean sheets, as well as making an average of a colossal 3.5 interceptions – the most of any player in the Italian top-flight – 1.6 tackles, 3.8 clearances, 37.3 passes and winning 6.4 duels per game.

The £18k-per-week centre-back – who is also adept at playing left and right-back – has also chipped in for his side going forwards, scoring two goals and registering one assist, as well as taking an average of 0.8 shots and making 0.3 key passes per fixture.

These returns have seen the Brazilian average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.17, ranking him as I Granata’s second-best performer in the league.

As such, it would appear that a move for Bremer would be highly advisable one for Moyes to make this winter, as the 6 foot 2 colossus would undoubtedly be an adequate replacement for Ogbonna – and perhaps even a better long-term option than the 33-year-old Italian.

In other news: West Ham insider drops big January transfer claim which will have fans buzzing

A tie was just as good as a win for India A as they qualified for the tri-series final in a freakish run-fest at Worcester, with both teams locked on 343

Cricinfo staff06-Jul-2010
ScorecardAbhinav Mukund ensured India were always in the game•Getty ImagesA tie was just as good as a win for India A as they qualified for the tri-series final in a freakish run-fest at New Road, with both teams locked on 343. India were a point behind West Indies A and needed at least a tie to get the two points to ensure qualification, and they didn’t give up till the last ball. Ian Bell’s 158 carried England Lions to what seemed like an unassailable 343, but the Indian batsmen, led by Abhinav Mukund, always ensured that they were in the game.The Lions innings was built around two century partnerships at the top of the order, both driven by Bell. The wicketkeeper Steve Davies added 107 with him for the second wicket, contributing 54 off 52 balls. Iqbal Abdulla, the left-arm seamer, got India the breakthrough when he trapped Davies lbw. It was only temporary relief for India as Darren Stevens joined Bell to script the highest partnership of the innings. The pair added a further 154 off nearly 22 overs to push the Lions towards a massive score. Stevens made 64 off 61 balls before he was dismissed by Abhimanyu Mithun, with the score at 267 in the 42nd over.Bell reached his century off 117 balls, but his next 50 came off just 21. He hit 20 fours and a six before he was dismissed by the seamer Jaskaran Singh for 158 off 143 balls. All the frontline bowlers got smashed, with the exception of Abdulla, who took 2 for 56.It was hard work for the Lions bowlers as well, as the Indian openers added 79 in quick time. Shikhar Dhawan made a brisk 44 off 26 balls before he was dismissed by Liam Plunkett. Ajinkya Rahane then joined Abhinav for a steady stand of 74 to keep their side in the contest. Abhinav then added 41 with Cheteshwar Pujara and 56 with Manoj Tiwary before he was dismissed for 114, bowled by Ravi Bopara. The well-set Abhinav’s presence meant that India were always in with a chance.Fortunately for India, the lower order didn’t disappoint after Abhinav departed. Tiwary blazed 46 off 36 balls and when he was out, Wriddhiman Saha took over. Saha added 38 in quick time with Manish Pandey to take India closer. However, a double-strike by Plunkett tilted the game towards the Lions but Saha wasn’t giving up without a fight. Abdulla’s last-ditch cameo of 13 off just five balls swung it back India’s way. There was further drama off the penultimate ball as Abdulla was run-out after taking a single. India needed two to win and one to tie but they stole a bye to level the scores and seal their place in the final, also against the Lions, on Thursday.

England Lions overcame the loss of their captain Alastair Cook to injury and cruised to their second victory of the tri-series

Cricinfo staff01-Jul-2010
ScorecardEngland Lions overcame the loss of their captain Alastair Cook to injury and cruised to their second victory of the tri-series by beating India A by five wickets and more than four overs to spare. A collective performance with the ball dismissed the visitors for 254 before contributions from all of the batsmen sealed the result.Stand-in captain Andrew Gale asked India A to bat and the Lions’ bowlers were faced with the challenge of curbing a fluent start. Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan added 54 before Peter Trego struck the first blow, dismissing Dhawan for 24. India A progressed steadily to 112 for 2 before the slide began. The seamers struck at regular intervals and soon the score read 145 for 5 in 31 overs.Cheteshwar Pujara held the innings together with a half-century ; India A had recovered to 234 for 6 and were poised for a final thrust. Ajmal Shahzad, however, struck twice in the 47th over and dismissed Pujara for 73. Shahzad finished with 3 for 56, while Bopara had claimed three top-order wickets to end with 3 for 32.The Lions’ top five batsmen got off to starts but all of them failed to carry on and, at 165 for 5 after 31 overs, India A held the edge. Dhawal Kulkarni and Manoj Tiwary had taken two wickets apiece. Darren Stevens and Trego, however, came together and forged a match-winning 90-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Stevens was unbeaten on 58 and Trego on 48 when the winnings runs were scored.

Aston Villa defender Kortney Hause is set to pen a new deal at Villa Park until 2025.

That’s according to reliable reporters Tom Collomosse and Mike McGrath, and, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

Hause’s current contract is set to expire in the summer, however, he looks to extend that after Axel Tuanzebe cut his loan spell shirt earlier this month.

Steven Gerrard has just three senior options at centre-back in Hause, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, with the former of the three making six Premier League appearances this season.

He is in line to start against Everton on Saturday should Konsa miss out due to injury, says, Collomosse, labelling a new deal as ‘imminent’.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news regarding Hause on Twitter. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many buzzing and one labelling it as ‘great news’.

“Really happy with this. Left footed centre halves that don’t cost the earth and understand the rigours of the prem = priceless. Tidy business this.”

Credit: @LincolnClarets

“Quality hope this is true”

Credit: @Finleydb10

“Great news this. Very solid squad member and has great passing range. Never lets us down when called upon.”

Credit: @eamonmcelwee01

“happy with that”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“Get in there”

Credit: @harry79050597

“Sensible. Great squad player. Just smart business”

Credit: @villanews11

In other news: ‘Stop it now Stevie’, ‘Imagine’ – Many AVFC fans react as more Suarez news emerges.  

Liverpool are looking to snap up versatile Celtic youngster Ben Doak, according to The Daily Record’s Scott Burns.

The Lowdown: Doak profiled

Doak is just 16 years of age and was recently on the bench for Ange Postecoglou’s first team against St Johnstone prior to the winter break.

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Transfermarkt have him classified as a midfielder, FlashScore as a forward and The Glasgow Evening Times as a full-back or a winger, making Doak an extremely versatile player.

He is yet to pen professional terms at Parkhead, though, and it seems as if he could be the latest Hoops starlet to move on before making a senior Celtic debut.

The Latest: Burns’ claim

Burns shared an update regarding Doak for the Daily Record on Saturday afternoon, claiming that the Reds are looking at a compensation deal for the 16-year-old.

However, Celtic are trying to stop a move to Merseyside and are aiming to convince the teenager to agree a long-term contract in Glasgow.

The Verdict: Not ideal

The Hoops have lost a number of talented youngsters over the years, with Leo Hjelde a recent example of a player to depart without making a senior appearance for Celtic before going on to make a first team breakthrough for Leeds United.

Mitchel Frame is another Parkhead academy starlet who has been linked with a Premier League switch, and it seems as if Doak could also now leave.

The pull of the Premier League appears to be too much for these young talents to resist, but hopefully CEO Michael Nicholson and Postecoglou can persuade Doak to commit his future to Celtic.

In other news: £12m Celtic trio now set to leave Parkhead over the next 7 days, journalist claims.