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Sri Lanka women’s captain Chamari Atapattu and teammate Ama Kanchana have been ruled of the Asia Cup T20 starting June 3 in Kuala Lumpur because of dengue.Shashikala Siriwardane, who relinquished captaincy in 2014, will step in to lead after Sri Lanka Cricket opted against promoting designated vice-captain Hasini Perera to the role.Harshitha Madavi, the 19-year old allrounder, and veteran spinner Inoka Ranaweera have been drafted in following the late withdrawals – among five changes to the squad that faced Pakistan in March.In other changes, experienced opener Yasoda Mendis return to the side and is likely to open with Nipuni Hansika, who missed the Pakistan T20Is but impressed in the preceding ODI series.Spinner Inoshi Fernando, 31, also returns to the T20 fold, while uncapped 22 year-old allrounder Malsha Shehani is the only new face. Making way are Dilani Manodara, Sripali Weerakkody, and Imalka Mendis.Sri Lanka begin their Asia Cup T20 campaign on Sunday when they face Bangladesh. Each team will play each other once in a round-robin format over the course of a week, with the final set to take place on June 10.Squad: Shashikala Siriwardena (Captain), Hasini Perera (Vice Captain), Yasoda Mendis, Anushka Sanjeewani, Rebeca Vandort, Nilakshi de Silva, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Nipuni Hansika, Malsha Shehani, Achini Kulasooriya, Harshitha Madavi, Inoshi Fernando, Inoka Ranaweera

Southampton's quest to bounce straight back up to the Premier League has got off to a flying start.

Under the stewardship of new manager Russell Martin, the Saints have scored ten goals and registered three wins from a possible four on the board.

Martin's possession-heavy style has worked a treat so far and to ensure their standards don't slip, the club have recently dipped into the loan market, acquiring Newcastle's Ryan Fraser, Everton's Mason Holgate and West Ham's Flynn Downes.

The quality Southampton have been able to add, particularly in the loan market, is a remarkable feat for a club in the second tier and this is demonstrated by the top-flight experience accumulated between the aforementioned trio.

What is the Southampton team news vs Sunderland?

When Southampton travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland this afternoon, Martin virtually has a fully fit squad to choose from, and that is a frightening prospect for the Black Cats.

While centre-back Jack Stephens is their only current casualty after suffering an injury last weekend, Holgate is a fine replacement, and he is likely to make his debut alongside Jan Bednarek.

Further forward, Downes could be handed his first start for the club, but he faces strong competition from central midfielders Carlos Alcaraz, Stuart Armstrong and Shea Charles.

The most exciting of the Saints inclusions could be the lightning-quick Fraser, who would offer an injection of urgency and experience to make way for 17-year-old starlet Samuel Amo-Ameyaw.

How good is Ryan Fraser?

Fraser's rapid rise to stardom began in 2012, joining Bournemouth at the start of their ascendancy up the football league pyramid, ending with a fairytale promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

The "electric" winger, as lauded by journalist Sean McCormick, would go on to spend eight years at the Cherries, appearing for the club on 208 occasions and registering 57 goal contributions.

His most impressive season came in 2018/19, registering an extraordinary seven goals and 14 assists in the top flight, alerting the likes of Arsenal to a potential transfer.

The following season saw his stock take a dramatic tumble as the Scotland international only managed five goal contributions in 28 appearances during the 2019/20 season.

Having joined Newcastle in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer, Fraser has been unable to replicate the highs of his time at Bournemouth, scoring only three goals in 59 appearances for the Magpies.

While his time in the North East hasn't worked out as he would have liked, moving back down south can see Fraser resurrect his career and become a key piece to Martin's promotion puzzle.

The 31-year-old has the telling attributes to become a difference-maker for this Saints side, utilising his electric pace and low centre of gravity to help unlock opposition defences.

Not only would his pace and dribbling provide Martin with an ace in his pack when trying to break down low blocks, but Fraser is also capable of matching, if not, bettering the statistical output of most wingers at Championship level.

During Fraser's most productive season in 2018/19, the 5 foot 4 ace produced monstrous numbers that saw him stand out when comparing his per 90 stats to his positional peers in the Premier League.

He ranked in the top 1% for assists (0.40), top 2% for crosses (7.70), top 3% for key passes (2.62), top 7% for progressive passes recorded (7.93) and top 15% for non-penalty goals (0.20), as per FBref.

If Fraser can roll back the years and start to produce a similar level of attacking output at Championship level, Martin will have a player on their hands who is capable of firing them to promotion. That begins by unleashing him against Sunderland today for his full debut, in a game that could see him get his career back on track.

Celtic are reportedly closing in on their seventh new addition of the summer transfer window as Brendan Rodgers attempts to bolster his playing squad.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

The Hoops head coach has already been able to snap up Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, and Hyun-jun Yang all on permanent deals to add to his midfield selection.

Central defenders Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke have also been brought in to strengthen the defensive side of the team, which needed to be addressed after Carl Starfelt's move to Spanish outfit Celta Vigo.

Aris left winger Luis Palma is now said to be on the verge of completing a switch to Parkhead after the club agreed a £3.5m deal with the Greek side.

The Honduras international appears set to improve Rodgers' options at the top end of the pitch after his impressive performances in Greece throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

How good is Luis Palma?

Based on his form for Aris last season, the 23-year-old wizard has the potential to come in as a big upgrade on current Hoops winger Daizen Maeda.

The exciting dynamo showcased his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals, with the former being his biggest strength. Palma racked up an impressive 11 goals in 20 league starts in the Greek top-flight, which also included nine substitute appearances.

Only Kyogo Furuhashi (27) scored more league goals for Celtic during the Scottish Premiership campaign last term and the £3.5m-rated talent's tally of 11 was also three more than Maeda managed in 35 matches for the club.

The incoming Hoops signing could, therefore, provide a greater goal threat than the Japan international if he is able to translate his form over to Scottish football and deliver a similar level of production in the final third.

Palma also displayed his creativity with 1.4 key passes per game for his teammates throughout last season.

Only two current Celtic players (Matt O'Riley and Anthony Ralston) produced more per outing than the Honduras international and Maeda ranked 15th within the squad with 0.8 per clash.

This suggests that the 5 foot 10 maestro could offer more than the 25-year-old winger when it comes to being a playmaker for his fellow attackers, as he has the quality to regularly split open the opposition's defence to create opportunities in front of goal.

Palma's superiority was also reflected in his average Sofascore rating as he ended the season with a score of 7.12, which was considerably better than the current Hoops forward's rating of 6.78 and would have placed him within the top ten in the squad.

The Aris star, who was praised for his “brilliant” goal contributions last term by agent Paulo Hernandez, has also started the current campaign in fantastic form with two goals and three assists in five matches in all competitions, whilst Maeda has zero goals and one assist in four outings so far.

These statistics over the last 12 months or so suggest that Palma has the quality to be a big upgrade on the Japanese marksman with his average performance level and his goal contributions at the top end of the pitch, which is why this could be an excellent signing for the club.

Kylian Mbappe, the prodigious French football sensation, embarked on his remarkable journey to stardom at a remarkably young age.

Born in Bondy, France, on December 20, 1998, he quickly captured the attention of football enthusiasts with his exceptional talents.

Mbappe's rise to prominence began with AS Monaco's youth academy, where his lightening speed, technical prowess and innate footballing intelligence caught the eye of scouts. In December 2015, he became the youngest first-team player for Monaco, making his debut at just 16-years-old. His breakthrough season came in 2016-2017, during which he spearheaded Monaco's charge to the Ligue 1 title and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.

His rapid acceleration and clinical finishing led to his inclusion in the French national team, and he played an instrumental role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph, becoming only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final.

Mbappe's early career statistics and records are nothing short of impressive. He set a slew of records, becoming the youngest player to score for Monaco and the youngest French player to score in the Champions League. His prolific goal-scoring ability, coupled with his versatility to play across the frontline, made him a sought-after asset.

With a slew of accolades, including multiple Ligue 1 titles, domestic cups and individual awards, Mbappe's early career accomplishments have solidified his status as one of football's most promising talents.

Kylian Mbappe at Monaco

Kylian Mbappe's formative years in football were marked by his exceptional stint at AS Monaco. Arriving at the club's youth academy, he swiftly showcased a footballing maturity beyond his years and rapidly climbed through the ranks to the first-team.

Making his professional debut in December 2015 at the tender age of 16, Mbappé's breakthrough season came during 2016-2017. He became a linchpin in Monaco's dynamic attacking unit, contributing significantly to their Ligue 1 triumph in the same season. His partnership with Radamel Falcao and his ability to combine electrifying speed with clinical finishing earned him rave reviews across the continent.

But the 2016-2017 campaign saw Mbappe not only guide Monaco to the domestic league title but also propel them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Statistically, Mbappe's time at Monaco showcased his incredible promise. He amassed 26 goals across all competitions in the 2016-2017 season, demonstrating his potency in front of goal. His lethal combination of pace and precision led to him being recognized as one of Europe's most exciting young talents.

Mbappe's records and milestones during his Monaco days are truly extraordinary. He became the youngest player to score for the club, and his performances earned him the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award. Additionally, he became the youngest French player to score in the Champions League, marking his growing influence on the international stage.

His success with Monaco culminated in a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, where he continued to flourish and solidify his status as a global footballing superstar.

Mbappe's time at Monaco remains a pivotal chapter in his career, showcasing the early signs of his unbelievable talent and foreshadowing the meteoric rise that was to come.

Mbappe's Honours at Monaco

Ligue 1 (1)

2016/2017

Kylian Mbappe at PSG

Joining the club in 2017, initially on loan before making it permanent a year later, he quickly cemented his status as one of the world's most prodigious talents, propelling PSG to both domestic and international success.

Mbappe's €180m arrival at PSG was a record-breaking transfer, underscoring the immense potential the club saw in him. He was part of a formidable attacking trio alongside Neymar and Edinson Cavani, forming a trio that came to be known as "MCN."

During his time at PSG, Mbappe's statistics and records have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has consistently registered impressive goal-scoring figures in Ligue 1, contributing significantly to the club's multiple domestic title wins. His searing pace, technical flair and ability to score from various positions on the field made him a nightmare for defenders.

Mbappe's records include becoming the youngest player in PSG's history to score a hat-trick in Ligue 1 and being the youngest player to reach 50 league goals for the club. His exploits also extended to the Champions League, where he showcased his prowess on the grandest stage. He became the youngest player to score 25 goals in the Champions League, surpassing the previous record set by none other than Lionel Messi.

Milestones have abounded throughout Mbappe's PSG career. He has secured numerous individual accolades, including multiple Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards, further cementing his position as one of the league's dominant forces. His role in PSG's 2019-2020 run to the Champions League final also highlighted his capability to perform at the highest echelons of the sport.

Mbappe's tenure at PSG has not only been marked by his on-field exploits but also by his growing stature as a global football icon. He is renowned for his philanthropic endeavours and his charismatic personality off the pitch.

To date, the France international's PSG record stands at 212 goals in 260 first-team appearances, but over the last 12 months there has been a level of controversy surrounding his future in France.

In June 2023, Mbappe announced his intentions not to renew his contract in the French capital, which runs until June 2024. It was widely reported that he was eyeing up a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. Mbappe refuted those claims, saying publically that he was happy at PSG in response, but the club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's stance was that he would not play for PSG again if he refused to sign a new deal.

The stand-off led to Mbappe being excluded from PSG's pre-season tour to Japan, but it was announced in August 2023 that he would be reintegrated back into Luis Enrique's first team plans following productive discussions being the player and the French giants.

Mbappe's Honours at PSG

Ligue 1 (5)

2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Coupe de France (3)

2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2020/2021

Coupe de Ligue (2)

2017/2018, 2019/2020

Trophee des Champions (2)

2019, 2020

Kylian Mbappe with France

Kylian Mbappe's international career with the French national team has mirrored his remarkable success at the club level. Bursting onto the scene as a prodigious talent, he quickly became a vital component of the national setup.

His journey with Les Bleus reached a pinnacle during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Playing a pivotal role, he showcased his electrifying pace, exceptional dribbling and clinical finishing. Mbappe's standout performance in the tournament earned him the prestigious FIFA World Cup Young Player Award. His crowning moment came in the final when he scored to become only the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup final, after the legendary Pelé.

His statistics and records for France are equally impressive. He has consistently been one of the team's top goalscorers, contributing vital goals in crucial matches. Mbappe's versatility and ability to thrive in different attacking roles have made him an indispensable asset for the national team.

In March 2023, France manager Didier Deschamps named Mbappe the new captain of France following the international retirement of long-standing captain Hugo Lloris.

To-date, Mbappe's record for France stands at 70 caps and 40 goals, with his most recent goal coming in a 1-0 victory over Greece in a UEFA European Championships qualifier, in June 2023.

Mbappe's Honours with France

FIFA World Cup (1)

2018

UEFA Nations League

2020/2021

Kylian Mbappe's Personal Accolades & Records

Kylian Mbappe's burgeoning career has been punctuated by an array of personal records and prestigious awards.

His rapid ascent began with AS Monaco, where he became the youngest player to debut for the club in December 2015. Then, his breakthrough season in 2016-2017 yielded the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and his position as the youngest French player to score in the Champions League.

However, it was on the global stage that Mbappe truly made history. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he became the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final, helping France secure their second world title. His electrifying performances earned him the FIFA World Cup Young Player Award.

At PSG, Mbappe has maintained his record-breaking momentum. He became the youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals for the club and the youngest to score a hat-trick in the league.

Accolades such as multiple Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards and his remarkable feats in domestic and international competitions underscore Mbappe's status as a generational talent and an individual who continues to rewrite the record books while amassing a trove of footballing honours.

It surely is only a matter of time before he collects his first Ballon d'Or.

Mbappe's Personal Honours

Ligue 1 Player of the Year (4)

2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (3)

2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019

Ligue 1 Team of the Year (6)

2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (4)

2016/2017, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022

FIFA FIFPRO World XI (3)

2018, 2019, 2022

Golden Boy (1)

2017

FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (1)

2022

FIFA World Cup Silver Ball (1)

2022

FIFA World Cup Young Player Award (1)

2018

Kopa Trophy (1)

2018

French Player of the Year (3)

2018, 2019, 2022

UEFA Team of the Year (1)

2018

Ligue 1 Top Scorer (5)

2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Ligue 1 Top Assist Provider (1)

2021/2022

UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot (1)

2021

MatériaMais Notícias

A semana do Fortaleza encerra com uma notícia preocupante para o técnico Rogério Ceni. O atacante Edson Cariús recebeu uma oferta do futebol árabe e pode deixar o Fortaleza nos próximos dias.

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De acordo com as primeiras informações, caso o Fortaleza aceite a proposta, o clube teria que liberar o centroavante em outubro. O contrato é válido até metade de 2021.

Internamente, o técnico Rogério Ceni liga o sinal de alerta para a perda do jogador, que tem marcado presença nos jogos do Leão. Além disso, por conta da dificuldade de contratar, a peça não seria reposta de maneira imediata.

Desde a sua chegada ao Fortaleza com a indicação de Ceni, Edson Cariús já anotou quatro gols.

Stumps
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details Getty Images

West Indies tightened their grip on day three in Bulawayo, Kraigg Brathwaite’s 86 and Roston Chase’s unbeaten 91 forming the backbone of their 369 for 8. With the Hope brothers and Devendra Bishoo also chipping in with handy runs, West Indies extended their lead to 429 runs by stumps. With two full days remaining, Zimbabwe have a mountain to climb.Where Brathwaite’s batting in the morning was doggedly purposeful, Chase’s in the afternoon was enterprising and, at times, adventurous. Marshalling the lower order, he was in sight of a Test hundred when Bishoo’s dismissal, six short of a maiden first-class half-century, brought the day to a close.It was apparent first thing this morning, with reverse swing, spin and inconsistent bounce available for the bowlers, that batting would not be easy. But Brathwaite soaked up the early pressure, and the patience exhibited by West Indies’ top order stood in stark contrast to Zimbabwe’s jittery effort on Sunday.West Indies may have had cause for some nerves early on as Sean Williams and Kyle Jarvis beat Brathwaite’s outside edge. Jarvis’ fourth delivery of the day elicited a clear puff of dust as it hit the deck, scooting through at shin height, and was a sign of the increasing mischief in this pitch. Yet Zimbabwe did not use the conditions, or Jarvis’ early dismissal of Kyle Hope with an indipper, as well as they could have.Luck played its part: there were multiple half-chances, almosts and what-ifs in the first hour. But Brathwaite was also dropped twice in consecutive overs off Graeme Cremer before lunch, allowing him to continue taking advantage of the bad balls when they came.Shai Hope’s dead-bat defence and steady accumulation held Zimbabwe at bay. Brathwaite soon brought up a solid fifty, off 137 deliveries. Brathwaite had been comfortable shuffling right across his stumps for much of the morning, making the majority of his runs on the leg side off both spin and pace. The tactic eventually got him in trouble, however, and Zimbabwe finally stopped the third wicket partnership at 67 when Sikandar Raza got one to spin in sharply from outside off stump to trap Brathwaite lbw.With West Indies’ lead advancing past 250, Zimbabwe took the new ball and once again both Jarvis and Chris Mpofu extracted inconsistent bounce from a length. Jarvis removed Shai Hope for 44 with a delivery that skidded and nipped back in, but Chase continued picking the right ball to hit, moving into the 30s with a massive hit over long off.At the other end, Zimbabwe continued to chip away. Mirroring his dismissal in the first innings, Jermaine Blackwood was well stumped by Regis Chakabva – the fourth time he has been stumped in his last seven innings. Shane Dowrich took the lead past 300 with a flowing cover drive, before he, too, fell to spin, edging Williams to Masakadza at slip.Chase, looking particularly strong through the covers, raced to fifty from 69 deliveries and captain Jason Holder seemed in even more of a rush. He hit his very first ball – and the first ball after tea – for six over long off, and immediately followed that up with a crashing drive through extra cover. He fell for a 23-ball 24, but Chase held firm and found an able partner in Devendra Bishoo, who swept, pulled and drove gamely as the eighth wicket stand passed fifty in just 74 deliveries.Both batsmen opened up as the lead ballooned beyond 400, and the partnership stretched to 92 – the highest stand of the match – before Bishoo slogged Cremer to deep midwicket, thereby falling one short of his highest Test score and not far from a maiden Test fifty. But with two full days remaining in the Test match, West Indies are set up for a huge win and Zimbabwe have a mountain to climb.

فاز فريق الاتحاد السكندري على نظيره الزمالك، في مباراة دور نصف النهائي لبطولة كأس مصر لكرة السلة “رجال”، خلال المواجهة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء.

والتقى الزمالك مع الاتحاد السكندري، على صالة وزارة الشباب والرياضة، في إطار مواجهات دور نصف النهائي لبطولة كأس مصر لكرة السلة.

وحقق فريق الاتحاد السكندري الفوز على الزمالك بنتيجة 76 – 68، ليتأهل إلى المباراة النهائية من بطولة كأس مصر.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه الاتحاد السكندري نظيره الأهلي في المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس مصر لكرة السلة للموسم الحالي 2023-2024.

وكان الأهلي تأهل إلي نهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة، بعد الفوز على الجزيرة بنتيجة 67-66، اليوم الثلاثاء. موعد مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري في نهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة

تقام مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري في نهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة، يوم الخميس الموافق 2 مايو 2024، في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية على صالة وزارة الشباب والرياضة.

بينما يلتقي الزمالك مع الجزيزة، يوم الخميس 2 مايو، في تمام الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية لتحديد المركز الثالث والرابع في بطولة كأس مصر.

Nottinghamshire were left frustrated by the pitch at Bristol after Gloucestershire batted out the final day for the loss of just four wickets

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Bristol12-Jun-2017
ScorecardAfter 11-and-a-half sessions and 374 overs of cricket, Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire had only managed two-and-a-half innings. Just 23 wickets fell on a pitch that, in the words of Nottinghamshire assistant coach Paul Franks, “makes a mockery of what good cricket should be about”. It was hard not to agree with his sentiment, or his disappointment.Nottinghamshire were undoubtedly the better side over the course of four days, of that there was no question. But Gloucestershire, too, fought to bring quality to the game. Both were hamstrung by a pitch that offered no carry through to the keeper, no pace on to the bat and little off the straight. It asked a lot of bowler, batsman and spectator. Such surfaces do more damage to the County Championship than any city-based Twenty20 competition might.In the end, the hosts were able to negotiate a draw with relative ease, even if things looked precarious when they lost Cameron Bancroft to the second ball of their second innings and were then reduced to 35 for 3 four overs into the final day. Franks, though, expected nothing less after Notts had beaten Gloucestershire by an innings and 50 runs at Trent Bridge a fortnight ago.”We knew before we got here [what to expect from the pitch],” he said. “Let’s not kid ourselves. No matter what anybody says about it, after having beaten them comprehensively on a pitch which had some pace, carry and bounce, we didn’t expect to come here and see a pitch that did the same.”It makes a mockery of what good cricket should be about. That’s just my personal opinion. I feel very strongly about it. It’s not a criticism about anyone in particular – it’s a criticism and an observation of having been in the game for over 20 years. You look at the way the wickets had fallen during the game. The pitch dictated terms. That’s a shame. It should be the players that are allowed to perform on that surface. And that wasn’t a surface suitable for a good-quality game.”It was just as bad for Gloucestershire’s attack, who deserve credit for showing up for work if this is what greets them each morning. With that in mind, it was worth singling out Craig Miles for his 29 overs in Nottinghamshire’s first innings that produced an array of half-chances which, on a more conducive pitch, might have better rewarded him than his eventual figures of 2 for 88.”The frustrating thing for me is that when the ball is not carrying to the wicketkeeper, that cannot be an acceptable situation for four-day cricket to be played,” Franks said. “Four-day cricket should be a game of skill, where seam bowlers and spin bowlers are in play and batsmen can score runs. If you bowl well then all good. If you don’t bowl well, you’ll get scored off.”That’s the way four-day cricket should be played. But this wasn’t even a good pitch for batting: 80 runs a session on average, two wickets a session on average. It’s there for everybody to see. It’s a little bit raw for us in the dressing room at the minute. But if these are the things we have to face, we have to find a way to be better, game on game.”It was unclear whether the pitch will be reported – although the whispers were that it was deemed unsatisfactory. The weather leading up to this fixture meant preparation time was limited. Nevertheless, cricket was not the winner.With Kent drawing and Worcestershire suffering defeat at the hands of Glamorgan, Nottinghamshire were looking to extend their lead at the top of Division Two, looking for nine more wickets for a valuable win. Within 10 minutes they had two of them. Harry Gurney, operating around the wicket to right-handers, trapped both Will Tavare and Gareth Roderick in front. Roderick was the wicket that stood out: any repeat of his first innings vigilance of 215-balls would take Gloucestershire closer to the draw they craved.While he could only see out eight balls this time, Chris Dent took the mantle of frustrater-in-chief. His, though, was not an innings of full-blooded defiance: classy shots through extra cover and point ensured he reached his half-century from 115-balls, as the hosts went into lunch on 100 for 3, trailing by 132.He continued on his merry way after lunch, prompting Chris Read, no more than 25-minutes into the second session, to turn to Riki Wessels, who has just one County Championship wicket to his name (Sussex’s Luke Wells, caught and bowled in 2012). It was Wessel’s first bowl since 2013 and perhaps had the desired effect. While his two overs offered little beyond novelty, it might have drawn Dent into a bit of carelessness. Brett Hutton replaced Gurney at the Pavilion End and, third ball of his new spell, tempted Dent to play a grim shot across the line and strike him in front for 71.Graeme van Buuren was keen not to let a golden opportunity to put on a score pass him by. Learning from Dent’s misjudgement, he played correctly all the way through, bringing up his half-century from 170-balls with his fifth boundary – a back-foot punch through cover. The most outlandish shot he played was a threaded two through a busy leg-side field. There was time for Cheteshwar Pujara to turn his arm over as Read called on an eighth bowler. To describe what he sent down as legspin would be meeting him more than half-way.And so Read continued: when he took the second new ball after 80 overs and gave it to Luke Fletcher, it was the 17th bowling change he had made in the day. That brought the final wicket to fall: Phil Mustard slashing to Jake Libby at point, at the start of the 83rd over. Other than a handful of near-misses – lbw appeals, the odd outside edge beaten – there was little else to play for. Even van Buuren, patient for 242 balls and 88 runs, was more than happy to shake hands within sight of an 11th first-class century.The only real moment of note was when Gurney and Fletcher were substituted off the field for James Pattinson and Stuart Broad. It might have been a different game had they been on from the start. Both had a little jog and a bowl before the start of play ahead of the Royal London One-Day Cup knockout match against Somerset, just down the road at Taunton. They go there frustrated with “just” an 11-point lead at the top of Division Two.

Southampton could soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief in regards to the future of Nathan Tella, with reliable journalist Darren Witcoop reporting that Burnley are now looking at former Saint Nathan Redmond instead.

How many goals did Nathan Tella score for Burnley?

The 24-year-old spent the 2022/23 season out on loan with the Clarets in the Championship, helping them to storm to the league title under the stewardship of new manager Vincent Kompany. Having never managed more than 18 league games in a season before his move to Turf Moor, he went on to feature in 39 games for the side in the second tier and was a key member of their first-team. He bagged 17 goals, with five assists along the way, and ended the campaign with a rate of 0.79 goal contributions per 90 – the best rate of his career.

Prior to this spell with Burnley, he had spent the entirety of his career playing for Southampton and their reserve side. He was handed his league debut for the Saints back in 2019/20 and has so far managed 33 games in the Premier League with them. However, his goal and assist rate at St Mary's Stadium hasn't been as exceptional as what he managed with Burnley, as he has just one goal and two assists over those fixtures with the club.

Are Southampton selling Nathan Tella to Burnley?

Having finally realised his potential and shown his ability in that Clarets team, Kompany has been keen to reunite with Tella again for the 2023/24 campaign. He has already expressed his interest in adding the winger on a permanent basis, but as of yet there has been no deal done to send him back to the club.

And it now appears as though Burnley could be moving on from the Southampton man. According to a report from reliable journalist Darren Witcoop, the Saints have whacked a large price tag on the head of the 24-year-old after his displays for Burnley.

It means that the Clarets are currently being "priced out" of a transfer move for the forward this summer. With no end in sight in terms of sorting out the financials, it appears as though they could now be looking elsewhere to boost their wings as the journalist also adds that they have turned towards Redmond. He also formerly played for Southampton, but has most recently spent time with Besiktas and is now a free agent.

It's no surprise that Burnley have been desperate to try and bring Tella back to Turf Moor, with their current boss Vincent Kompany viewing the winger very highly. During his tenure with the Clarets, the manager stated that the forward was a "raw diamond" and was able to help the side "in so many ways" because he "has all the tools".

Tella really did shine at Championship level then, so if Southampton can hold on to the 24-year-old, it could do their chances of an instant promotion the world of good next season.

Manchester United are 'still discussing internally' who may be the best fit to spearhead their attack heading into 2023/24 as they assess several striking targets, says renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What strikers have Manchester United been linked with this window?

Earlier in the year, Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane as Erik Ten Hag looks to beef up his forward line with an elite addition, as per The Independent.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils opted out of pursuing the England international in the end due to Spurs' tough stance in negotiations, leaving them in a position where their priorities have now shifted to tracking alternative options.

Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is also a target for Manchester United and talks are continuing over a swoop for the 20-year-old; however, his current employers have slapped an £86 million price tag on his shoulders in their attempts to ward off interest, according to The Daily Mail.

Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani and Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen have also been mooted as prospective signings at Old Trafford this summer.

Jornal de Notícias via Sport Witness claim that Porto hitman Mehdi Taremi is someone who is admired by Manchester United boss Ten Hag as their search for a new forward continues to gain momentum.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano has revealed that Manchester United are still running the rule over who may be the best fit to lead the line at the club this season.

Romano said: “They are still discussing internally who is the best striker for this project and what kind of opportunity they will find.

“They wanted Harry Kane; this is very clear. Erik ten Hag wanted Harry Kane, but, at the moment, Tottenham have no intentions of negotiating with Man Utd. This is why they are looking at other options.”

What other movements have Manchester United made in the transfer market?

Romano has also confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is set for a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move to Old Trafford, stating on Twitter: "Mason Mount will undergo medical tests on Monday and then he’s finally gonna sign five year deal as new Manchester United player. Contract until June 2028 — it will also include an option to extend until June 2029. £55m plus £5m to Chelsea. Statement this week."

In the goalkeeping department, Feyenoord stopper Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp have been identified as two targets to strengthen Ten Hag's last line of defence, as a deal to bring in Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana could prove to be difficult financially, according to The Mirror.

Calciomercato claim that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic's agent has held talks over a prospective transfer to Manchester United, though the Serbia international is garnering attention from several clubs around Europe.

Either way, Manchester United look set for a busy summer window as Ten Hag aims to construct a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title this season.