Injury expert Ben Dinnery has shared an injury update on Manchester United star Marcus Rashford ahead of their EFL Cup final clash with Newcastle United. 

The Lowdown: Huge game for United

On Sunday afternoon, Erik ten Hag’s side head to Wembley to take on the Magpies, in what is one of the biggest games in years for both clubs.

United haven’t won a trophy since their 2017 Europa League triumph and victory this weekend could potentially be the start of a great new era at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the match, there is one major injury concern, though, with Rashford picking up a knock in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Barcelona.

Ten Hag has claimed he is unsure over whether the star forward will be available with Dinnery sharing his injury knowledge as Man United sweat over the player’s fitness.

The Latest: Rashford an injury doubt

Speaking to Give Me Sport, player fitness and rehab expert Dinnery admitted the next 24 hours will be ‘key’ in assessing the 25-year-old for Sunday’s final:

“It looks to be an impact injury and we did see him struggling towards the end of the game, so that was forced.

“Of course, in those early post-match discussions with Erik ten Hag, things were extremely vague. Injuries can present themselves and maybe are not as bad as initially feared, and vice versa.

“Ahead of the Carabao Cup final, of course, that is a little bit of a concern. The next 24 hours will be key and today will be a recovery day for the player, so we’ll see in terms of being evaluated and assessed. The players will probably travel down on Saturday.”

The Verdict: Would be a major loss

Rashford missing out would be the worst possible news for United, considering what a sensational season he is enjoying, particularly since the World Cup.

The Englishman has scored in 14 of his last 18 appearances, highlighting how potent he is, and his pace and directness are something that will terrify Newcastle.

Robin van Persie has hailed Rashford as a ‘unique’ player and his possible absence could genuinely be the deciding factor when it comes to who takes the trophy home.

The hope is that the injury is not serious enough to rule him out, however, and Ten Hag will clearly do everything he can to get him on the Wembley turf.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman endured a frustrating January transfer window as the club lost Ellis Simms – who returned to Everton – and striker Ross Stewart was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Despite losing their two senior options through the middle of the pitch, the Black Cats were only able to bring in one striker as they signed Joe Gelhardt on loan from Leeds.

The 20-year-old has scored once in six Championship starts to date and it remains to be seen whether his presence will be enough to mitigate the losses of Simms and Stewart.

Sunderland have not always had the best of luck with signing new centre-forwards over the years and one attacker who ended up being a flop was Fabio Borini, who joined from Liverpool in 2015.

How did Fabio Borini perform at Sunderland?

The Italian forward had already enjoyed a sensational season on loan from Anfield at the Stadium of Light in the 2013/14 campaign. He struck seven times in 32 Premier League appearances and managed three goals in five League Cup outings – including the opening goal of the final in a 3-1 loss to Manchester City.

His impressive form on Wearside led to Liverpool giving him another chance in 2014/15 but the attacker only played 12 times in the league for the Reds with that opening up the door for the Black Cats to bring him back.

In the summer of 2015, then-Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat snapped him up on a permanent deal in a package worth £10m, including £8m up front, in the hope that the dynamo could recapture the form he displayed on loan at the club.

Instead, the striker had a fairly underwhelming campaign in 2015/16, scoring five goals and averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.70 – ranking him 15th in the squad – in 26 outings.

The 5 foot 11 forward followed that up by scoring just twice in 24 Premier League outings – averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.69 – in 2016/17 as the Black Cats were relegated from the top flight.

Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship ultimately resulted in the one-time Italy international leaving to join AC Milan on loan for the 2017/18 campaign.

At the time of his loan exit, journalist Josh Bunting criticised his dismal performances for the Black Cats, Tweeting: “When Borini wants to be good he is but his attitude is all wrong gave up last season, Serie A also suits him much better than the Prem.”

After a year with the Italian giants, in which he scored twice again – this time in 29 league matches –  Borini then signed for Milan on a permanent basis for £5m.

As a result, it’s evident that Advocaat had a shocker by signing the forward in 2015. The Italian flop struggled in both of his two full Premier League seasons with the club before leaving for half of the total package they paid for him, with that a marker of the poor deal they got both from a footballing and a financial perspective.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter won’t necessarily be sacked if his side lose to Leeds United this weekend, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.

The Lowdown: Huge game for Potter

On Saturday afternoon, the Blues welcome the Whites to Stamford Bridge for what is a crucial Premier League clash for both sides this season.

Chelsea know that victories must simply become the norm again if they are to have any chance of a top-four finish, with their last victory coming against Crystal Palace in January, while Leeds are in desperate need of points to secure top flight survival.

Understandably, there is huge pressure on Potter to keep his job, but it sounds like those supporters in the ‘Potter Out’ brigade are not going to get their wish unless something drastic happens…

The Latest: Sacking not nailed-on

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that the 47-year-old won’t definitely be sacked if Chelsea suffer a shock defeat this weekend, unless it is a particularly damaging one:

“Defeat to Leeds may not change a massive amount but, of course, it’s all about the manner of the losses. This isn’t about what Graham Potter does specifically.

“It’s about showing progress and if progress doesn’t end with Champions League football, which is unlikely, Potter won’t necessarily be judged on that as long as there’s progress.

“And progress for Chelsea is really about picking a consistent starting XI, showing an identity and scoring goals. If they do those three things, they win games, and then Graham Potter will stay on as Chelsea manager.”

The Verdict: Simply has to win

In many ways, it is refreshing to see Chelsea being more patient with a manager this time around, rather than sacking Potter at the first opportunity.

That being said, both performances and results now have to improve drastically, starting on Saturday, as the Blues look to move up from their current 10th-place position.

There is only so long that the club can keep backing Potter, and as Jacobs alludes to, it is the manner of the displays that are arguably the most important thing right now.

Chelsea should have enough to see off a Leeds side battling relegation on Saturday, though, and three points could trigger the start of a resurgence, even though that feels a long way off right now.

The recent January transfer window saw Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta move to sign Chelsea playmaker Jorginho on a £12m deal, with the Italy international having already made a fine start to life in north London after his key involvement in helping to power his new side ahead against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Despite the acquisition of the one-time Napoli man, however, it does appear that the Gunners remain rather short on depth in the midfield ranks, while the likes of Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey – as well as Jorginho – are all in and around their thirties.

With reports linking the club with moves for a more youthful, long-term addition this summer, Arteta and co may well be beginning to regret the sale of one of their former midfield assets, Matteo Guendouzi.

The tough-tackling Frenchman was initially snapped up by Unai Emery back in 2018, going on to rack up 82 appearances in all competitions over the next two years at the Emirates, scoring once and providing five assists in that time.

Despite having been lauded as a player with a “big future” by club legend Cesc Fabregas, the youngster was ultimately shipped out on loan to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in October 2020, having been cast out by Arteta due to apparent issues regarding his attitude.

The 6 foot 1 maestro – who had begun his career in his homeland at Lorient – was subsequently allowed to join Ligue 1 side Marseille for the 2021/22 campaign, before seeing that move become a permanent switch last summer for a fee of just £9m.

How much is Guendouzi worth now?

That decision to allow the seven-cap maverick to depart for a rather minimal fee has potentially come back to bite the Premier League high-flyers, with the highly-rated “progression machine”, as described by writer Casey Evans, having been attracting notable interest of late.

Reports throughout the January window suggested that the aforementioned Emery – who is now in charge at Villa Park – was keen to bring the 23-year-old back to England, with the player said to have been “open to a reunion” with his former boss.

That deal ultimately did not come to fruition, however, with Igor Tudor’s side unsurprisingly reluctant to let the one-time Paris Saint-Germain youth product depart on the cheap, with an asking price of around €50m (£44m) having been mooted.

That figure is almost five times greater than what Arsenal allowed the midfielder to leave for just over six months ago, with it likely to sting if he is to go on to exit the Stade Velodrome for a hefty fee in the near future.

The £41k-per-week man has certainly warranted that valuation having been a key figure for the French outfit of late, having scored four goals and provided four assists this season, after previously chipping in with 19 goal involvements last term.

Having also showcased remarkable flexibility to feature all across the midfield and on the flanks, Guendouzi has proven himself a hugely vital presence for Marseille thus far, hence the possible frustration among those back in north London.

While it may simply be a case that the player needed a fresh start elsewhere, there could be a feeling that the in-form gem was moved on far too soon and for far too little by Arteta.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has given an update on the long-awaited return of Aston Villa centre-back Diego Carlos.

What’s the latest on Diego Carlos?

The Brazilian arrived at Villa Park in the summer as a big-name signing from Sevilla, but ruptured his Achilles during his second game for the club.

He has been absent ever since, and looked unlikely to feature again this season, but the latest update from Dinnery could give Villa fans hope of a comeback in the coming months.

Speaking on the Premier FPL Injuries channel, Dinnery revealed the defender was taking part in light training sessions, ahead of a possible full return to training after the next international break.

(10:40) “With regards to Diego Carlos, of course, he’s working his way back from a ruptured Achilles. He’s in and around that squad in terms of training,” he stated.

“He’s taking part in some sessions, easing out of others. That’s just good management. He always maintained that any game time before the end of the season is going to be a bonus. I think realistically, we could be looking after the international break, but he’s making very good steps.”

How could he fit into the Villa side?

Carlos arrived when Steven Gerrard was in charge at Villa, and it remains to be seen where the 29-year-old fits into Unai Emery’s plans.

However, Emery may know the player well, having faced each other a number of times during the Spaniard’s recent spell in charge of Villarreal in La Liga, and he could slot straight into the team when fully fit.

Carlos is a physically strong centre-back, who formed an excellent partnership with France international Jules Kounde at Sevilla, and he could replace Tyrone Mings in the Villa lineup to partner Ezri Konsa.

A Europa League winner, Carlos’ experience at the back could help solidify the Villa backline, which has conceded 38 goals in 24 league games this season.

Former Premier League footballer Jay Bothroyd has claimed that Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in the world in his position.

How has Saka played for Arsenal?

The England international has been in sensational form this season, scoring ten and assisting nine times in the Premier League. He added to his tally with a stunning strike to open the scoring in Arsenal’s victory over Everton.

With Arsenal flying at the top of the league, it is hard to disregard Saka as one of the best players in the country, and indeed Europe, given his contributions to a side that could win their first title in 19 years.

Speaking after the victory over Everton, Bothroyd claimed that Saka is under-appreciated, and his performances are good enough to put him in the conversation amongst the very best in the world.

“Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, ” he stated.

“I mean he doesn’t get enough praise. If he was playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona, he’d be up for Ballon d’Or awards, but he’s been fantastic this year.

“He’s such a young player as well, but he’s Arsenal’s talisman and he’s made a big, big difference.”

What makes Saka so good?

The 21-year-old is Arsenal’s top scorer in the league this season, and his goals have come at vital moments.

He has scored or assisted against Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, whilst also scoring a crucial equaliser against Aston Villa in his side’s remarkable 4-2 victory.

His performances have remained consistent throughout the season, and having started every single league game, his availability is second to none.

In what is a young Arsenal side competing at the top, Saka is often the driving force behind their victories, and his ability to make a difference in key moments could help fire them to an unprecedented title.

His performance last night saw him win four duels, make two key passes and grab a goal and an assist (Sofascore).

Leeds United are enduring a tough season, in which Javi Garcia has been handed the unenviable task of rescuing a team that was in freefall under Jesse Marsch.

The Spaniard was only gifted the job following the conclusion of the January transfer window, so inherits a squad largely made up of players purchased by the previous two managers.

It seems that a lack of urgency to correct the big issues in the squad was the downfall of both Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch, with the former refusing to bolster his thin squad and the latter wasting huge amounts of money on several players who are yet to make an impact.

Despite this contrast, one huge let-down that springs to mind of the Argentine’s tenure is Daniel James, who was signed from rivals Manchester United back in the summer of 2021. 

The Welsh speedster was expected to supplement an already free-flowing Whites front line, however, it quickly became apparent that he lacked the quality and cutting edge to be relied upon at the lower end of the table. 

It resulted in a gruesome relegation battle, in which survival was only earned on the final day of the season.

How much has Dan James cost Leeds in total?

His acquisition was not cheap, as the Whites were forced to stump up £25m to tempt James from Old Trafford.

It was not the first time a player had made the switch between these two bitter rivals, but it certainly left the Manchester club delighted having only signed the winger two years earlier for £15m.

Having been handed a mouth-watering £50k-per-week wage, with hindsight it was a foolish move to reward a player who had done little to warrant such a huge expenditure.

The 25-year-old would then make just 40 appearances for the club, scoring four and assisting just five before being forced out on loan to Fulham. He is poised to return at this season’s conclusion; something which Gracia will hardly be eagerly awaiting.

When factoring in his wage for his sole year in Yorkshire alongside his transfer fee, in total he has already cost the club £27.6m. What makes it worse is that this is a figure that is only set to increase.

Bielsa did many great things for the club, but convincing Andrea Radrizzani to make this move was not one of them.

Journalist Tom Dutton put it best when he wrote on Twitter: “Dan James is a pace merchant with poor final ball and awful decision making. Not sure how he ever got a move to United.”

That burning question still remains, as his move to Leeds seems equally perplexing given its failure thus far.

Since arriving at the club at the end of August, Tony Mowbray has enjoyed a strong season in charge of Sunderland has them competing for a place in the top half of the table.

They are currently 11th in the Championship and six points off the play-off places with 11 matches still to play and the ex-Blackburn boss has made his side an exciting team to watch for the most part.

Mowbray has made a number of excellent decisions since taking over from Alex Neil and one of them has been to utilise Trai Hume as his first-choice at right-back.

The Black Cats manager has struck gold with the 20-year-old enforcer as the gem’s value has soared since his initial move to the club at the start of 2022.

How much is Trai Hume worth?

He was signed from Northern Irish side Linfield for a fee in the region of £200k in the January transfer window of the 2021/22 campaign, amid competition from Celtic and Stoke City.

At the time of writing [10/03/2023], FootballTransfers places his Expected Transfer Value at £619k (€700k) and this means that his potential price has soared by 210% from the £200k they paid to sign him last year.

It has not been an easy ride for the warrior, though. Lee Johnson worked with Kristjaan Speakman to bring the young defender to the Stadium of Light but was soon replaced in the dugout by Scottish coach Neil, who then rarely used Hume.

In League One, the right-back only made three appearances for Sunderland – winning 71% of his duels and making 3.7 tackles and interceptions per match – as the club went on to be promoted via the play-offs.

At the start of this season, Hume only made two substitute outings in the Championship for Neil and his Black Cats career did not appear to be heading in the right direction.

However, Mowbray’s arrival changed everything for the Northern Irish gem as the full-back has gone on to start 12 matches in the division for the current head coach this term.

The youngster, who journalist Josh Bunting hailed as “immense”, has now featured in 17 games in total in the league and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.88, which places him eighth in the squad.

He has won 53% of his duels and made 3.3 tackles and interceptions per match, with no player in the team making more tackles per game, and this indicates that the ace has been a solid operator at the back for the club.

His excellent form in the Championship has been reflected in the aforementioned rise in the gem’s value and shows that Mowbray has struck gold by making him a regular fixture in the side, which is something Neil was reluctant to do.

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw is expected to leave Elland Road this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Leeds career

Forshaw was actually the club’s most expensive signing since the 2001/02 season when he arrived in Yorkshire from Middlesbrough at a cost of €5.1m (£4.5m) in 2018.

Since then, the 31-year-old has made 84 appearances for the club but has missed far more of the action with a number of injury issues.

He has featured in just 157 minutes of Premier League action this season, with his last appearance coming on New Year’s Eve against Newcastle.

The Latest: Forshaw’s future

FI reporter Wayne Veysey shared an update on Forshaw, who is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

He said that the Whites have the option to extend that by a further 12 months, however, that looks unlikely and the club are expected to let the player go.

The Verdict: Right call?

Forshaw has had a frustrating few years with injuries, whereas Leeds have bolstered their midfield ranks over the last 12 months by signing Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.

They also have Darko Gyabi coming through the ranks at Thorp Arch, so parting ways with Forshaw appears to be the right decision.

Whether or not Leeds will be a Premier League side in the summer remains to be seen, but hopefully, Forshaw, who shares the same agency as McKennie and Brenden Aaronson, will have no trouble in finding a new club with a number of Championship sides keen on his services towards the end of 2022.

Chelsea sealed what could be a priceless victory in the career of Graham Potter on Tuesday evening with the Blues sealing their pathway to the next round of the Champions League.

The Londoners defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate with that result possibly the best under Potter’s tutelage yet.

The former Brighton boss has been under severe pressure of late but has now recorded two vital wins in a row with the club beating Leeds United last weekend too.

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz were enough on the night and although supporters will have been beaming from ear to ear after those strikes, it was the scenes at full-time that sparked the most intrigue.

How did Todd Boehly react to Chelsea’s Champions League win?

Owner Todd Boehly was seen entering the tunnel at Stamford Bridge post-match to greet Potter, rather comedically, with a beer. The pair shared a warm embrace and a large smile before the club’s manager was interviewed by CBS.

Boehly has been an interesting character to say the least since arriving in English football, notably for his mass spending in the transfer market.

His loyalty to Potter, however, appears to be unwavering despite a run of several defeats throughout 2023 prior to the last few days.

As a result, the undeniably heartwarming footage generated plenty of reaction on social media, the best of which can be found below.