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Lee Johnson has confirmed that full-back Denver Hume is nearing his return to first-team action after injury, acting as a boost for Sunderland.

The Lowdown: Hume absent this season

The Black Cats have made a good start to their League One season, sitting second in the table with seven matches played.

One individual who hasn’t played a single minute to date in 2021/22 is Hume, however, with the 23-year-old out with a hamstring injury.

The Latest: Johnson provides key update

Speaking ahead of Sunderland’s league meeting with Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light [via The Sunderland Echo], Johnson claimed Hume will be back soon, playing for the Under-23s in order to step up his recovery:

“Denver is coming along pretty nicely and could get some U23 minutes on Monday night [away at Wolves].

“We’ve then got a game in the Papa John’s Trophy at Lincoln City eight days later, and providing he comes through Monday OK he could have some involvement there.”

The Verdict: Big boost for Sunderland

Hume may not necessarily be an indispensable figure for the Black Cats – he made 23 League One appearances last season – but his return will be an undoubted boost, having been hailed as ‘unplayable’ by Phil Parkinson in the past.

The left-back can provide competition for youngster Dennis Cirkin, who has stepped up and made five league starts already this season, potentially becoming first-choice if he rids himself of his injury problems.

Hume’s return may still be a few weeks away, but he will provide more depth for Johnson when he comes back, strengthening Sunderland’s promotion push in the process.

In other news, Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has dropped a verdict on one current player. Read more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left raging following a blow involving Algeria international Said Benrahma prior to today’s clash against Manchester United.

The 26-year-old, who featured on Thursday against Dinamo Zagreb as the Hammers got off to a flying start in the Europa League, got a knock on his knee after being introduced by manager David Moyes.

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West Ham have already had to find a plan to cope without the absence of star striker Michail Antonio after he picked up a red card during their last league outing away to Southampton, ruling him out today due to suspension.

It now seems that another doubt for the visit of the Red Devils has emerged, with Moyes sending a pre-match message to the press (via whufc.com). He explained: “In terms of team news, Said Benrahma got a knock on his knee when he came on against Dinamo Zagreb, but apart from that the squad are mostly fully available.”

In response to this news, it’s safe to say that many Irons supporters are far from pleased – check out some of their reactions on Twitter below.

West Ham fans fume over Benrahma blow…

“A big miss”

Credit: @judiboybaby

“Oh jeez”

Credit: @WHU99

“lets hope he’s still available”

Credit: @whujoe

“Nooooooooooooo”

Credit: @ovo_forbes

“No no no”

Credit: @whufc_ollie

“Fantastic. So now what”

Credit: @acpcoyi

In other news: West Ham source claims GSB could now make move to sign ‘absolutely immense’ player for Moyes, find out more here.

In the end, Leeds United secured their passage into the next round of the Carabao Cup after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Fulham on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side weren’t at their vintage best at Craven Cottage, but thanks to some heroics from goalkeeper Illan Meslier, they managed to move onto the fourth round of the competition.

But while Meslier will no doubt take some of the headlines for stepping up in that crucial moment during the spot-kicks, it was arguably Charlie Cresswell’s performance at the back that really stood out the most.

The 19-year-old academy starlet proved exactly why he appears set for a big future in the game at Elland Road, matching everything that Fulham tried to throw him with and even showing a superb range of passing too.

As per Sofascore, he won the most duels of any player on the pitch (12 of 18), and made the most interceptions, clearances and blocked shots of any of his Leeds teammates too.

That’s not to mention how good he looked in possession too, registering a game-high 121 touches – yes, you read that correctly – and 87 passes, while only Kalvin Phillips was ahead of him for most completed long balls.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him an eight, saying: “Excellent display from the centre-back, who slotted in seamlessly to the defence. Was happy to mix it physically with the Fulham forwards and just as comfortable raking long passes over the top for his team-mates. Never looked troubled.”

Speaking about Cresswell earlier last season, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan was glowing in his praise about the 6 foot starlet, saying: “He is the future, he’s one for the future. At that centre-half position he’s got great attributes, he’s very calm on the ball, a great size to him, he’s quick, he can head, he can pass. He’s the modern-day, young centre-half.”

And, after pictures emerged of him in pre-season training looking more physically built than ever before, Whelan waxed lyrical about the kind of progress the teenager has made and touted him for big things.

He added: “From the pictures, you can see he’s put in a lot of work, a lot of effort. He’s taking his role at the club very seriously about pushing Koch, Cooper, Llorente and Struijk. That’s good to see. I want to see that from young players.

“Cresswell, when he played last season in the EFL Cup game he was fantastic. He was a standout and he’s definitely one to the future. When you look at him now in stature, he doesn’t look like he’d be fazed coming up against any bigger centre-forwards. He is an absolute beast.”

These rave reviews, and his performance yesterday showed exactly why he could be a major player for Leeds in the coming years, and he absolutely stole the show for the Whites in their Carabao Cup clash against Fulham.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star is keen on a contract extension at Elland Road…

After a fraught first hour, when everything went against them, South Africa hit back with three bursts – the biggest being when they dismissed Australia’s top order for 23 runs in nine overs

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter19-Mar-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Dale Steyn had Australia in strife on day one© Getty Images
The final figures may not indicate it, but this was a day of rock climbing. Australia would scuttle a couple of meters only to be roped in; South Africa started sloppily but found their footing; Australia briefly regained stability but before they could inch ahead the home side pulled the ground from beneath. With each burst of wickets South Africa improved and at the end of an engrossing opening day the honours lay firmly in their hands.After a fraught first hour, when everything went against them, they hit back with three bursts – the biggest being when they dismissed Australia’s top order for 23 runs in nine overs. Aided by 16 fiery overs from Dale Steyn, South Africa rounded off the day with their new opening pair jogging unscathed to stumps through 14 busy overs.After sloppy (78 for 3 in Johannesburg) and authoritative (119 for 0 in Durban) mornings having won the toss, Australia began their quest for a whitewash by surviving a tricky start and gaining in confidence only to slip. And therein lay the impetus South Africa needed. Stroke-making wasn’t easy against a springy new ball and a vigorous opening spell but Australia were helped by a slew of missed chances and dropped catches. The openers had scrapped through the first hour – in which only 29 runs were scored – but once Phillip Hughes was out in the 23rd over, Australia’s top order folded.Paul Harris had Hughes in his first over, sweeping one that pitched just outside off stump, and next over Australia were dealt a massive blow when Ricky Ponting drove loosely at a full and late away-swinging delivery from the debutant Albie Morkel and feathered a thin edge to Mark Boucher.Makhaya Ntini’s exemplary yet wicketless opening spell of 7-5-6-0, at a consistently good pace to keep the two left-handed openers guessing, was better, but Steyn’s burst just after lunch yielded wickets. Steyn rattled the stumps of Michael Hussey – the ball after he raised 3000 Test runs, the 33rd Australian to do so – and Michael Clarke in consecutive overs to further dent Australia.Steyn ran in hard during that passage but Morkel and Jacques Kallis weren’t as threatening, and Simon Katich and Brad Haddin prospered, one steadfast, the other counter-attacking. Katich had been the chief beneficiary of South Africa’s sloppiness in the morning – reprieved on 4 when Kallis failed to refer what looked a plumb lbw shout and on 9 when the debutant Imraan Khan dropped a sitter at point – and the sole survivor of Australia’s top-order wobble. Efficiently, he cut out all flash as he gritted and grimaced along. South Africa’s two double-strikes had forced Katich to cut out most of his strokes and he held up one end well. As the bowlers slacked he cashed in on a spate of wide deliveries to move through the forties and on to his half-century, from 138 balls. The runs-to-deliveries quotient reflected his graft.The pair had added a promising 71 and Australia seemed to have found a solid footing. Everything changed when Harris was reintroduced. Having faced a few strangling overs, Katich attempted his first aggressive shot and top-edged a sweep to the man who had earlier reprieved him at point.The responsibility now grew on Haddin, who until this time had played well under pressure. His placement fetched him a flurry of boundaries after he came to the middle and a stroke-filled 42 helped pull Australia out of a tight situation. But, as the second session, the final began South Africa’s way. Harris rapped Haddin in front of middle and leg and the appeal was upheld, even after the batsman referred it to the third umpire.Andrew McDonald nudged uncertainly and held his ground to add 32 with Mitchell Johnson, only for Ntini to take two in two balls, becoming the highest wicket-taker at Newlands – the ground on which he made his debut – with 53. Steyn added Johnson, attempting to hit another one over the infield, and the journeyman debutant Bryce McGain became the last man to be dismissed, at 209.The manner in which Ashwell Prince, opening for the first time in Tests, and Imraan went about their task in the shadows of stumps reflected the good work done by a rejuvenated home side in the field. Imraan showed few nerves in accumulating an unbeaten 15, while Prince slipped into his new role with assurance to make a sparkling 37 not out – so much so, that he lofted McGain for six minutes before stumps.South Africa have every reason to be pleased with their day’s work. The jitters at base camp look miles below now.

Former Premier League defender Danny Mills has claimed that West Ham United could sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United for just £5m in January.

The Lowdown: Lingard on the move

Lingard won the hearts of many Irons fans last season as he scored nine goals and set up another five as he helped David Moyes’ side to reach the Europa League group stage for the first time.

After missing out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad, he reportedly rejected the chance to return to the Hammers and instead chose to fight for his place at Manchester United, but has only played four minutes of action in their three games thus far in the current campaign.

Lingard scored twice and assisted Bakayo Saka’s clincher in England’s 4-0 drubbing of Andorra at Wembley on Sunday as he continued his form from last season, but the 28-year-old remains on the periphery at Old Trafford for the time being despite being strongly linked with a return to the London Stadium during the summer.

The Latest: Mills makes transfer claim

Former England right-back Mills has claimed that the Hammers could sign Lingard permanently and sign him for a bargain fee. He stated that Manchester United ‘may just accept’ £5m in January for the midfielder, who has less than 12 months remaining on his contract.

Mills told Football Insider that West Ham could seize upon the 28-year-old’s contract uncertainty at Old Trafford, saying: “There will be part of him that wants to protect himself. I feel a bit for him because he’s done very, very well. He probably deserves better.

“It’s that tricky predicament now where he was a year left. He’s running out of contract time.

“Will Manchester United want to let him go out on loan at that stage? Unlikely, I would suggest. Maybe he won’t want to go out on loan at that stage either for fear of picking up an injury.

“Somebody will take a gamble on him come the end of the season. It’s just about whether they will take a game and take him if Man United don’t want to keep him.

“They may just accept £5million in the January transfer window to get it done and dusted.”

The Verdict: Lingard deserves the chance to play

Admittedly against a poor side, Lingard was the shining light in England’s World Cup qualifying victory over the weekend, scoring his first England goal since November 2018.

With Bruno Fernandes one of Manchester United’s star players, it looks likely that the 28-year-old will be a backup to the Portugal international, so his chances of being involved in the England setup could be limited unless a move materialises or unless he breaks into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first XI.

Lingard’s contract situation could be on West Ham’s radar, and if they can snap him for the £5m fee suggested by Mills, they will have grabbed a bargain, especially as his Transfermarkt value is almost four times that amount.

In other West Ham news, it has emerged why one summer target didn’t transfer to London Stadium. Find out more here.

Southampton have been credited with an interest in Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison recently and if the teenage forward were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, it could be a catalyst in Michael Obafemi leaving St Mary’s.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun on Sunday (via Football League World), Southampton have joined the race to sign the 18-year-old forward this summer after he broke into Sheffield United’s first-team towards the end of last season.

The likes of Everton, Leeds and Aston Villa have also been linked with the Englishman, whilst he was also attracting significant loan interest from Championship and League One clubs.

Despite Sheffield United’s league position of 23rd in the Championship, Jebbison has not yet played a minute in the second tier and has been limited to just 71 minutes of action in the League Cup.

Bye-bye Obafemi?

If Southampton were to sign the exciting Sheffield United forward, it is difficult to see where Obafemi would fit in at St Mary’s in the long-term future.

The Republic of Ireland U’21 international made just four substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and saw a loan move to Swansea City fall through after he picked up a long-term injury.

Although he featured heavily in pre-season, the 19-year-old’s only appearance so far this term came as a substitute in the 8-0 thrashing of Newport County in the League Cup, so it seems as if he is surplus to requirements in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

The Austrian manager has questioned Obafemi’s professionalism in the past, and he was heavily linked with a switch to Blackburn Rovers as part of the Adam Armstrong deal earlier in the window.

As his contract is set to expire at the end of this season, it would not be a surprise to see Obafemi sold, especially if the money from his sale could be put towards signing a player such as Jebbison.

The teenage striker boasts an impressive record with Sheffield United’s academy, scoring six in as many outings. He also scored on his first Premier League start in a 1-0 win against Everton last year, with Micah Richards later dubbing him the “shining light” in what was a terrible season for the Blades.

Whilst it is difficult to see him getting in ahead of any of Hasenhuttl’s current attacking options, he clearly has a lot of potential and would fit Southampton’s transfer model of signing young talents for the future.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

Therefore, Semmens should definitely look at sealing a last gasp transfer swoop for Jebbison before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday evening.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign their next KWP in 21 y/o

Leeds United turned down the opportunity to sign Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks on loan this season, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Midfielder needed?

The Whites haven’t done a huge amount of business in the summer transfer window, with Kristoffer Klaesson and Junior Firpo coming in, as well as Jack Harrison making his move from Manchester City permanent.

There is still time for new signings to join, however, and midfield is arguably an area that requires more depth, with Kalvin Phillips perhaps relied upon too heavily at times.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Leeds turn down Winks move

Despite this, The Athletic‘s Hay claims that Leeds declined the opportunity to bring in Winks on loan, with the 25-year-old seemingly not part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.

He has made 176 appearances for Spurs and won ten caps for England – Mauricio Pochettino once hailed him as ‘amazing’ – but he missed out on a place at Euro 2020.

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The Verdict: Strange decision

Marcelo Bielsa is seemingly content with his squad, but it does seem odd not to have signed Winks, considering he was available on loan.

It may simply be that the Leeds boss doesn’t feel he fits into his style of play, but he is still a proven Premier League midfielder who could have added more quality in the middle of the park at a minimal cost.

Winks averaged 1.3 key passes per game in the Europa League last season, highlighting his quality on the ball, and he may have dovetailed nicely with Phillips.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in a late move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Andrew Symonds is on track to make next month’s Test tour of South Africa following knee surgery on New Year’s Eve

Cricinfo staff17-Jan-2009
Andrew Symonds is expected to be back in action in three to five weeks © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds is on track to make next month’s Test tour of South Africa following knee surgery on New Year’s Eve. Symonds missed the Sydney victory after hobbling through the loss at the MCG and there is hope from the team camp that he will be available for part of the five-match one-day series against New Zealand.”I would be disappointed if Andrew wasn’t available to go to South Africa,” Alex Kountouris, Australia’s physio, said in the Sunday Telegraph. “Things are progressing well.”Andrew has been taking it easy but I expect him to be doing some running this week and we will gradually build his recovery up over the coming weeks. At this stage it’s hard to say when Andrew will be back but I’d expect it to be somewhere between three to five weeks.”Australia would like Symonds involved following the loss of a series of players over the past month. Stuart Clark, Brett Lee and Shane Watson are out injured while Matthew Hayden retired from the game last week. Michael Clarke is also carrying a thumb problem and Phil Jaques is about to return from back surgery.”I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t that need for me to get out there,” Jaques said after delaying his club comeback by a week. “But in saying that, I’ve taken three months out of the game to get my back right.”I don’t want to go back in and get another operation down the track. I want to be 100% ready when I start playing again. If that means I miss a tour, I miss a tour. But I’m confident I’ll be right. I was a bit concerned [at first] because I hadn’t felt any discomfort whatsoever since I’d been back in work. But it’s nothing major and it’s responded really well.”

Graeme Smith has hailed a shift in the power-balance in world cricket after what he described as the greatest year in the South African team’s history. Smith entered the tour calm and composed and aiming to be the first man to lead South Africa to a serie

Brydon Coverdale at the MCG30-Dec-2008
Dale Steyn: “The word choker came up – we don’t have that kind of history on us” © Getty Images
Graeme Smith has hailed a shift in the power-balance in world cricket after what he described as the greatest year in the South African team’s history. Smith entered the tour calm and composed and aiming to be the first man to lead South Africa to a series victory in Australia; it has taken barely a fortnight to complete the task and it rounds off a remarkable 12 months.”It’s got to be the best,” Smith said when asked where 2008 ranked in the history of South African cricket. “No disrespect for anything that’s gone before us, we’re very respectful of the history of our game, all the people who have had opportunities before us and who have never had opportunities.”But I think for us it’s got to be the most incredible season South African cricket has ever had, to sit here with the results we’ve got. I don’t think anyone could argue with that.”Over the past two years South Africa have built such a strong outfit that they have not lost a series since they visited Sri Lanka in 2006. This year they have beaten England in England and kept India to a drawn series in India, and with one more victory against Australia in Sydney they can jump to No. 1 on the ICC’s Test rankings.”I think the balance of power is evening out in world cricket,” Smith said. “Credit to Australia, they’ve dominated world cricket for a decade. I think they’ve obviously enjoyed that time. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to be beaten in future tours and be easier to beat. But I think the balance has evened out a little.”When Hashim Amla clipped the ball through midwicket for two to bring up the MCG victory, it completed a remarkable couple of weeks for the South Africans. At the WACA, they had been destroyed by Mitchell Johnson’s spell on the second afternoon and came back to record the second-highest fourth-innings chase in Test history.In Melbourne, they were 7 for 198 at stumps on day two and trailed by nearly 200; their tail wagged so ferociously that they earned a 65-run first-innings lead. They were the sort of fightbacks teams could only dream of against Australia in past seasons.”I think we’ve just been composed, I think we’ve just gone about playing our cricket,” Smith said. “When we’ve come out on the big days and been behind the game we’ve really played the better cricket when we’ve had to. I don’t think I could have dreamt of a partnership like we had at the back end on day three.”But it was the kind of performance that has defined South Africa’s 2008. Their stunning victory at Edgbaston was the highlight until this tour; it has now been comprehensively eclipsed.After the Melbourne win, Smith, the leading Test run-scorer for the calendar year, was sitting next to Dale Steyn, the highest wicket-taker in 2008. The men are 27 and 25, and it was a reminder that this youthful South African outfit has moved on from previous failures and could itself be the team that inflicts pain on other sides in years to come.”The word choker came up – we don’t have that kind of history on us,” Steyn said after winning the Man-of-the-Match award for his ten wickets and 76 with the bat. “If we can start winning like this, fresh in our careers, this is what we can continue and take forward. Maybe it starts off a new generation, I don’t know. I’m just very proud to be part of a side that’s achieved something special.”It is an effort that has captured the imagination of fans at home in South Africa. The match finished at around 5 am South Africa time; offices around the country were likely to be filled with bleary-eyed workers on Tuesday.”Just knowing back home and the hype around the series and what’s been written about it,” Smith said. “I think it’s only about five in the morning back home and my phone is filled with messages already. I think there are a lot of people who are lacking sleep.”The players themselves might be short on rest over the next couple of days as well. They head to Sydney for their New Year’s Eve celebrations before regrouping for the third Test, which starts on Saturday. For now, the order of the day is to live in the moment. “I don’t think there’s enough beer in all of Australia to satisfy us tonight, ” the spinner Paul Harris said.

Ibrahima Konate appears likely to leave Liverpool for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer despite the Reds' desire to tie him to a new contract.

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Konate leaning towards PSG moveLiverpool eager to tie him to new contractReal Madrid also interested in centre-backFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool fear they may lose centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires this summer, and Konate, whose deal runs until the summer of 2026, in the same transfer window and are eager to avoid the key departures.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Merseyside club, then, are prepared to offer the French defender a new deal, but reports that PSG have a good chance of luring him to Ligue 1. The defender would prefer to join the French giants this summer and Liverpool are aware of his intention.

DID YOU KNOW?

PSG, who eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League this week, are not the only team interested in signing the 25-year-old. Real Madrid have also been linked with the former Sochaux and RB Leipzig player and may attempt to bring him to the Spanish capital alongside team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KONATE AND LIVERPOOL?

The Anfield club will hope to persuade Konate to stay before the summer transfer window opens as they look to keep their top stars following Arne Slot's debut season in charge.